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Cahill keen to face Qatar

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17 January 2008 | 16:13 - AAP

Socceroos star Tim Cahill says he will definitely return to Australia for next month's opening World Cup qualifier against Qatar if selected by Pim Verbeek.

 

:: VIDEO - [epl4394|30|Verbeek reveals some secretsepl]

The Everton midfielder is among a host of European-based Socceroos being considered by Verbeek for the crucial February 6 match in Melbourne.

The Socceroos coach is still assessing the A-League talent pool and determining how much he can rely on it before naming his side on Wednesday.

But Cahill on Thursday joined the recent chorus of overseas players, including Vince Grella and Mark Bresciano, to commit to the game if needed.

"I'm available for Australia any time," Cahill told Sydney radio station 2KY.

"I fought so hard in court cases and things to play for Australia," he added of his battle with FIFA for eligibility with the Socceroos after representing Samoa at youth level.

"I'm not all of a sudden going to turn around and say I don't want to play for Australia."

Everton have league games scheduled either side of the qualifier, against Blackburn on February 2 and Reading on February 9.

But Cahill said he anticipated no problems with getting away for the match or any in the future long as both Verbeek and Everton boss David Moyes approached the situation carefully.

"I've had a meeting with Pim and David Moyes and I think it just comes down to common sense with Pim and common sense with Moyes," the goalscoring midfielder explained.

"But he (Verbeek) knows he's got my 100 per cent backing and that's the main thing."

Cahill has been in scintillating form in the Premier League since retuning to the pitch in October after a frustrating six months out with a broken left foot.

He has scored three times in his past four league games and is Everton's second-highest scorer this season with six goals, despite only playing in 11 matches out of 22.

Cahill said his time away from the game had renewed his hunger and desire this year.

"One of the things about it is I missed being part of the Premier League, I missed being part of the football and I think you can see it now that I've come back," Cahill said.

"I always play with a smile on my face, I'm very competitive and I just want to keep making the right noises."

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