Australia’s Tim Cahill has his focus firmly on the World Cup but is already looking beyond the finals in South Africa to when his club Everton visits his homeland in July.
Cahill is with the Australian squad in South Africa but he is also looking forward to Everton’s tour Down Under and hopes to play in Sydney and Melbourne subject to his commitments with the Qantas Socceroos.
“I am totally focussed on Australia and our World Cup journey,” he said.
“But it’s a dream for me that my club, Everton, is visiting my country as part of the pre-season preparations for the next (English) Premier League season.”
“It’s massive. It’s non-stop football and it’s great for fans, and great for the A-League too.”
Everton will meet Australia’s Hyundai A-League champion Sydney FC at ANZ Stadium on July 10, Melbourne Heart at Etihad Stadium on July 14 and Brisbane Roar on July 17 at Suncorp Stadium.
The touring party will be close to full strength for the trip and will be led by captain and former England player Phil Neville.
The squad also includes Russian winger Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, and Frenchman Louis Saha.
Exciting Belgian international midfielder Marouane Fellaini, who spent most of the last season out with a serious ankle injury, is also named and is expected to make his much-awaited comeback in Australia.
Everton squad:
Goalkeepers: Iain Turner, John Ruddy
Defenders: Leighton Baines, Phil Jagielka, Seamus Coleman, Shkodran Mustafi, Sylvain Distin, Tony Hibbert
Midfielders: Adam Forshaw, Diniyar Bilyaletdinov, Jack Rodwell, James Wallace, Leon Osman, Marouane Fellaini, Mikel Arteta, Philip Neville, Tim Cahill
Strikers: James Vaughan, Jermaine Bedford, Jose Baxter, Kieran Agard, Louis Saha, Lukas Jutkiewicz, Victor Anichebe
Manager: David Moyes
