Socceroo midfielder Tim Cahill looks set to miss the rest of the season – and possibly the Asian Cup tournament – after breaking a metatarsal during Everton’s 1-1 draw at Sheffield United on the weekend.
The Australia international was helped off the pitch by United's Phil Jagielka in the 40th minute before being attended to by Everton medical staff.
Toffees boss David Moyes confirmed: "Tim has broken the first metatarsal in his left foot. He will probably be out for the season. I'm really disappointed because he is a very important player to us.
"He showed that in periods during the first half. He will be a big miss."
Not only a miss for Everton, who are pushing for a place in Europe, but for the Socceroos, who play two warm-up games against Uruguay and Argentina in early June before taking part in the Asian Cup in July.
The early diagnosis from the Everton medical staff is that Cahill will play no further part in the Premiership campaign. Depending on the severity of the break, it can mean up to three months on the sidelines.
The last high profile player to suffer a metatarsal break was Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, who broke the fourth metatarsal on his right foot against Chelsea on April 29 last year.
After intensive rehabilitation Rooney appeared for England in the World Cup just six weeks after the break and if the same timeline is applied to Cahill, the midfielder could be back by mid-April.
Cahill’s injury is the second time he’s been crocked leading into a big tournament for the Socceroos, as he missed much of the build-up to the 2006 World Cup with a knee ligament injury sustained in a game against Birmingham City.
Toffees boss David Moyes confirmed: "Tim has broken the first metatarsal in his left foot. He will probably be out for the season. I'm really disappointed because he is a very important player to us.
"He showed that in periods during the first half. He will be a big miss."
Not only a miss for Everton, who are pushing for a place in Europe, but for the Socceroos, who play two warm-up games against Uruguay and Argentina in early June before taking part in the Asian Cup in July.
The early diagnosis from the Everton medical staff is that Cahill will play no further part in the Premiership campaign. Depending on the severity of the break, it can mean up to three months on the sidelines.
The last high profile player to suffer a metatarsal break was Manchester United’s Wayne Rooney, who broke the fourth metatarsal on his right foot against Chelsea on April 29 last year.
After intensive rehabilitation Rooney appeared for England in the World Cup just six weeks after the break and if the same timeline is applied to Cahill, the midfielder could be back by mid-April.
Cahill’s injury is the second time he’s been crocked leading into a big tournament for the Socceroos, as he missed much of the build-up to the 2006 World Cup with a knee ligament injury sustained in a game against Birmingham City.
Copyright (c) Press Association
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