Everton assistant manager Alan Irvine is pleased the Merseyside
club have the services of fit-again midfielder Tim Cahill.
The Australia international is expected to make his first
appearance since suffering medial knee ligament damage back in
November when The Toffees host Reading on Sunday.
David Moyes's side have missed the presence of the former Millwall
player, having only won only four of the 11 games they have played
since the 27-year-old was sidelined.
Irvine, for one, is keen to have the hard-working midfield man back
in their starting XI, having compared his absence to the injury
crisis being suffered at Premiership champions Chelsea.
"As you can see, even at Chelsea, when key players are out, it
makes a huge difference to results and performances," Irvine
said.
"Tim coming back will be a massive boost. It will almost be like
Chelsea getting Terry and (Petr) Cech back.
"Someone will have to step aside and it is therefore important for
the players who are under threat to make it impossible for them to
be left out.
"Tim Cahill is a very important player for us, without a
doubt."