Everton relieved after Cahill tests

Everton have expressed their relief after tests showed that midfielder Tim Cahill has not suffered a recurrence of an old knee injury.

It had been feared that Cahill would face a lengthy spell on the sidelines, as a rash tackle by Jamie Redknapp during last week’s game against Tottenham did damage to the right knee on which the Australian required major surgery during his Millwall days.

However Cahill could be back in action as soon as next weekend, when Everton face Southampton in the Barclays Premiership.

“We are all mighty relieved that there is no major damage in view of the fact Tim underwent anterior cruciate ligament repair surgery about three years ago on his right knee,” Everton head physio Mick Rathbone told www.evertonfc.com.

Meanwhile, the club have confirmed that the match against Southampton at Goodison will be preceded by a moment’s silence in memory of Ken Bigley, the Liverpudlian executed by rebel militants in Iraq this week.

The 62-year-old was an Everton fan.