The 30-year-old Socceroos midfielder has been in sensational form this campaign for the Toffees sitting in joint third spot in the Premiership goalscoring charts.

Cahill's fine form prompted Australia coach Holger Osieck to recently float the idea of playing the Everton man up front on the international stage.

The Aussie was deployed by Everton in a striking role last Monday when he scored in the 2-2 draw with Sunderland.

But Cahill told the Liverpool Echo he feels his best role is as a link-up man in between midfield and the forward line.

"I don't feel like an out-and-out striker because I've never played as one really for Everton" Cahill said.

"Against Sunderland was the first time I've ever had the licence to go up and stay up, but it's in me to come back and defend.

"Obviously I win the first, and second balls and try to close down defenders but straight after I do that I'm back into the midfield trying to make sure everything is closed up.

"Then I'm back defending corners and free kicks. It's a bit of a mixed role I suppose. In terms of centre forwards these days most don't run 12 kilometres a game."

Cahill added his current run of form probably was not the best of his career, but said it was right up there.

"I'm not sure if I'm in the form of my life" he said. "The first season I came here was fantastic. I just want to be consistent.

"I suppose just because the goals have come, people talk about it being my best season but the one thing I maintain under this manager is the importance of him making sure I'm not only playing well, but training well and keeping my body fit."

Cahill continued: "The manager has had a m assive infleunce on my attitude this year, and as I get older looking after my body. Doing the right things is important to stay on top.

"I won't have to modify that. The manager understands the amount of football I play, but I feel fantastic.

"I play three games a week sometimes and travel a lot, but it's all about working hard, and not trying to find excuses not to play.

"I play with knocks. I've done it every year I played for Everton anyway, and this year seems to be very fluent.

"The manager always says ‘Just get on with it'. It's alright when you're doing well, but that has got to apply when it's not going so well too."

Cahill's Everton host West Bromwich Albion in the Premiership this Saturday night.