Cahill doubtful for derby clash

And Blues stars deny claims of burnout after busy season
By Daniel Gregory 24/03/08

Everton have suffered a huge injury blow ahead of this weekend's crucial Merseyside derby with the news that influential midfielder Tim Cahill is a major doubt. Cahill (right) limped off during the first half of the dissapointing 1-1 draw with West Ham at the weekend and now looks set for another spell on the sidelines, in what has been a frustrating season for the Aussie midfielder.

Cahill will miss Australia's match with China on Wednesday in a bid to be ready for the huge game at Anfield at the weekend, with Everton's hopes of snatching fourth place and Champions League qualification from their neighbours resting on collecting three points from the game.

Everton boss David Moyes will give the Aussie ace every chance of being passed fit for the crunch match. He said: "We are not really sure how bad he is, we will have to assess the injury."

After failing to win in their last three games, Everton's players have come out and denied the claims that fatigue is setting in after playing 47 games so far this term.

Everton full back Leighton Baines denied the team were feeling the effects of a busy season: "I don't think we're getting tired, there are people who play 50 games a season every year.

"At the moment we just have some injuries and a few players to come back and hopefully that will be soon. We are all still confident ahead of the Liverpool match."

Despite a dissapointing run of form recently, midfielder Leon Osman, who has been a vital part in Everton's success this season, has every faith that Everton can collect three points at Anfield this weekend.

He said: "We have to pick ourselves up now and make sure we get three points at Anfield, we can handle this.

"The West Ham game was good preparation for the derby because it became 100mph out there, end to end, and that is the way it will go next week so it was good for us to be involved in a game like that."

A defeat for David Moyes side would leave the Blues 5 points behind their city rivals, with only six games to play. A win for the Toffee's would see them leapfrog Rafa Benitez' side into the crucial fourth spot.