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Tim Cahill is on course to be ready for pre-season training as he continues his recovery from surgery.
The Everton midfielder is back home in Australia recovering from an operation to end his persistent metatarsal problems but Everton are convinced he will be ready for training in July and fit to start the Barclays Premier League season in August.
Everton's head physio Mick Rathbone visited the midfielder recently and said: "Things seem to be going very well. We discussed the rehab and he gets another X-ray in three weeks, and we will re-evaluate from there."
He added: "I went to Sydney last Monday and saw Tim and we had a meeting with the specialists. We had some new X-rays done and I met with the Australian medical team who are looking after him for a couple of weeks.
"The facilities are fantastic, and I was very impressed with the surgeon."
Another injury-plagued Everton player - young striker James Vaughan - also believes he is on the way to a full recovery and will be ready for pre-season training after more knee problems.
Vaughan also did not play after March, when he returned to the US for a consultation with Dr Richard Steadman, the surgeon who had carried our previous operations on the 19 year-old.
Vaughan said: "The knee feels good. It is a slow rehab but everything is going to plan so far so I should be back for next season.
"Hopefully I can join in pre-season training. By the start of that, I hope to be doing some jogging and running and by the end I may get in a few games."
