Australian coach Holger Osieck says Everton were well within their right to use Tim Cahill against Newcastle United.

This was despite the 31-year-old being left out of a World Cup qualifying squad just days earlier.

"This is club business," said Osieck.

"They pay him and, if they think they can play him for a certain time in the game, it is their choice.

"The situation with Tim had been even after the Asian Cup he was not 100 per cent fit, and I knew it. But they (Everton) still played him, because in a way they needed him. That was, down the road, not very beneficial to him. He needs to be fit, 100 per cent fit, which isn't the case.

"I saw the game and was very interested when he came on. He didn't touch the ball too often, he was not very involved, and he plays a different tactical position than he does with the Socceroos. It will be interesting how the story goes on."