Cahill confident of early return

Injured Tim Cahill says he could be back in action ahead of schedule.

Injured Tim Cahill believes he could be back in action ahead of schedule.

The Australian has been ruled out for between six and eight weeks with medial knee ligament damage.

But the Everton midfielder considers himself a "quick healer" and feels he could be in action before the new year.

He made a similarly swift recovery from a posterior injury ahead of last summer's World Cup finals.

He said: "It is not the best news to be out with an injury, but the biggest thing is that it's not a cruciate and that I am not out for six months.

"I'd like to think I am a quick healer. I have been fortunate enough that I have recovered from major injuries quite quickly.

"I am very optimistic that if I do everything right then I will pick up the rewards."

Cahill will visit a specialist next week to make sure there is no further cartilage damage to his right knee which could lengthen the time he is out.

He said: "Before the World Cup I only had six weeks to get a posterior tear right, I did everything I could and I think if I do the same thing again I could, maybe, be playing at the end of December or the start of January.

"I am coming in for work and treatment three times a day - morning, afternoon and evening - to give my knee the best possible chance. The first four weeks are the most important.

"If I can get it healed in four weeks then I can do the hard work in the two to four weeks after that."