TIM CAHILL has revealed his desire to keep representing Australia for as long as possible.

The 31-year-old, who is expected to feature in Everton’s friendly at Irish side Bohemians, bagged his 24th international goal in 53 appearances during last week’s friendly with Wales in Cardiff.

Although a recent foot injury, picked up whilst on duty with Australia in the 2011 Asia Cup during January, kept him out of Everton action for a sustained period towards the end of last season, Cahill is determined to prolong his career with the Socceroos and pursue the country’s goal scoring record.

In a bid to ease the concerns of Goodison Park manager David Moyes, Cahill took a break from much of Australia’s summer programme, missing friendlies with New Zealand and Serbia.

But Cahill returned last week and his strike in the 2-1 victory over Wales brought him to within five goals of the nation’s leading marksman Damian Mori.

And after it took a major court case for the former Millwall man to be made eligible to play for Australia – having represented Samoa as a schoolboy – the Everton talisman is refusing to walk away from the international scene just yet.

“I had to fight a massive court case just for the right to play for my country – and I won’t stop playing until my body stops,” said Cahill.

“It’s a big thing for us to play for Australia and you do it whenever you can.

“It has given me some of the best moments of my life and I won’t give that up.

“It is not in my mentality to stop. Would you say to Steven Gerrard or John Terry or any of the top players for England that now you are 31, will you stop playing for England?

“I am now close to Damian Mori’s goals record for Australia – and I would love to beat it.

“I love football. You try as hard as you can for your club and your country, too.”

At the time of Cahill’s decision to rest from international action, Moyes said: “Tim definitely needs the break.

“He played in the World Cup and then he went to the Asian games and I don’t think that has helped him, in fact it has really hindered him in my eyes.

“Because of that I think he needs to start looking at himself to get into condition.

“He has been really good for Everton but Everton have been really good to him as well, so I think it is important he does look at the club here.

“Because of that I don’t think he’ll get involved in any of the friendlies this summer for Australia.”