The 28-year-old has already been ruled out of Australia's four World Cup qualifiers in June and is having surgery to ensure he is ready for next season's English Premier League.

"I hope to be back for pre-season ready for the first game of Everton's next season," Cahill told Fox Sports after he arrived at Sydney airport.

"I'm just going to work hard... and nothing's going to stop me coming back."

Cahill missed the start of the season last year after breaking a bone in his foot in a pre-season game. He broke his foot again in March and was ruled out for the remainder of this season.