Everton´s Cahill says surgery recovery on schedule – (SN)

Everton's Australian midfielder Tim Cahill on Friday said he expects to bounce back from foot surgery in time for the start of the next English Premier League season.

Cahill, who is in his hometown recovering, said doctors had allowed him to start swimming sessions and his troublesome left foot was looking good.

“Everything is going right on schedule,” he told reporters.

“I have seen the specialists again, and they let me go in the swimming pool today. I had a long session which was pretty tiring.

“The swelling has gone down, and everything looks really good.”

The 28-year-old originally underwent surgery for a metatarsal injury last year but has twice broken down since, restricting him to just 49 appearances for his club in the past two seasons.

After breaking the foot again in March, he said he was determined to fix the problem once and for all to help Everton, who were pipped to fourth place and a Champions League berth by cross-town rivals Liverpool this season.

“If I had to sit out a whole season to get the foot right I would have,” he said, “but I'm very passionate about football and I don't like to sit on the sidelines.