Cahill has been out of action with a foot injury since March and while he is edging ever closer to a return, won't be tempted to rush things.

He told the Liverpool Echo: "I’m taking it steady and leaving nothing to chance.

“But I’m getting closer every day. When I get the go ahead, I guarantee I’ll be back in great shape and hopefully in a position to make an immediate impact for both Everton and Australia.

“The longer you are out, the more you appreciate what it means to play at the top level and there’s no doubt in my mind I’ll be back bigger and better than ever."

It has been a frustrating wait for Cahill, who spent part of the closed season recuperating in Australia after his operation and David Moyes, frustrated so far in the transfer market, will be desperate to have him back.

“I’d planned to be back for the start of the Premier League season but it wasn’t to be. There’s no way I’ll be rushing back before I’m ready - that would be no good for myself, Everton or Australia," said Cahill.

Cahill has revealed that sitting on the sidelines watching his colleagues has been very tough and he longs to feel part of the action again.

“I don’t particularly enjoy watching football and when you’re injured you don’t really feel a part of things. But I’ve always been a positive person.

“When I was a youngster in Australia people didn’t really rate me but I never took ‘no’ for an answer and I’ve always liked to prove people wrong," he said.