The English Premier League season begins on then 16th August for Everton and it is almost certain that Cahill will miss the start of the new season.

Speaking to the Liverpool Daily Post, Cahill said, "I've just got to wait for the final x-ray that will clear me.

"As it goes, it's still up in the air. I'm not going to put any dates or times on it because it's probably one of those things where I'm just looking to get fit and that's the most important thing."

Cahill's training and game output has suffered recently due to the metatarsal injury, including missing Socceroo World Cup qualifiers and this week's pre-season training camp in Switzerland with the Toffees. The foot is forcing him into alternative training regimes but he is still optimistic of the situation.

"If it takes me an extra couple of weeks then it does, if it doesn't it's a bonus.

"At the moment my training involves a lot of swimming, a lot of cardiovascular work on the bikes and I'm starting to do a lot of balancing work plus weights.

"Training is pretty busy now and quite intense but it will be good once I'm back running."