Tim Cahill insists he will be fully fit for the start of pre-season training despite suffering a third serious foot injury in just over a year. Everton’s Australia international has been ruled out for the remainder of the campaign after suffering a broken foot in the early stages of the 1-1 draw with West Ham on 22nd March.

Cahill missed the end of the 2006/07 season after suffering a broken metatarsal against Sheffield United in early March last year, before a recurrence of the same problem in a pre-season friendly against Werder Bremen kept him on the sidelines until late October.

But the influential midfielder insists his previous spells on the sidelines will help him get swiftly back with his team-mates.

He told the club’s website ”I started my rehab programme the day after I broke it. One thing I am is experienced in this game and I know exactly where I am with my foot injury. When it comes to pre-season it will be like I haven’t been out of football.”

Cahill’s latest absence is a major blow to manager David Moyes with Everton now five points behind fierce rivals Liverpool in the race for the final UEFA Champions League berth.