CARNEY CAN MAKE WORLD CUP GRADE

Tim Cahill is backing former Blue David Carney to make the grade with the Australian national team.

Sydney-born Carney played for the Blues alongside Wayne Rooney in the 2002 FA Youth Cup final. He returned to Australia for the introduction of the new Hyundai A-League and helped his hometown club reach the quarter finals of the FIFA Club World Championship in December.

The 22-year-old has enhanced his reputation with Sydney FC and is being tipped in some quarters as an outsider for the Socceroos' World Cup squad.

Cahill said: "David's a good young lad. I've heard of him from my old man and I've also heard he did quite well here at Everton. It's good for players like that to come over and try and learn their trade because the only thing that's missing from Australia is the coaching and the resources.

"England is a long way to come and it's cold but it's definitely well worth it.

"I think the lads can prove themselves in the national league and the coach, Guus Hiddink, gets a lot of information from Australian-based staff who watch it.

"It's definitely a big step from playing in the national league to the Premiership or even the world stage but Guus will definitely give young players a chance and nurture and culture them as to how to play the required style and the door's definitely open to them.

"Once they get themselves on to that world stage, we'll start seeing them in competitions and bigger clubs will come in for them."

Sydney are third in the A-League with two games remaining and is among the leading lights in the goal-assists standings.

TIM WAS TALKING TO THE EVERTONIAN MAGAZINE. FOR A FULL INTERVIEW WITH THE MIDFIELDER PURCHASE YOUR COPY NOW. YOU CAN SUBSCRIBE TO THE EVERTONIAN BY CLICKING HERE.