TIM CAHILL’S LAST-GASP BID TO PLAY IN HONDURAS

TIM Cahill declared operation Honduras a tougher task than Uruguay in 2005, while refusing to make any Socceroos selection promises.

Cahill will be assessed by Socceroos physio Les Gelis when he arrives in San Pedro Sula this afternoon (around 1pm AEDT), but appears to be in huge doubt for Saturday’s World Cup qualifier.

The Melbourne City attacker’s ankle was still swollen after he strained ligaments on Friday night and he spent most of his 26-hour journey to Honduras getting treatment from Socceroos masseur Luke Attwell.

Before boarding, Cahill said he would not even confirm he would be ready for the second leg, but vowed to contribute in a repeat of the Uruguay playoffs 12 years ago.

“Harder (than Uruguay). Way harder. The travel, circumstances, location and a different group of boys,’’ Cahill said. “It’s the biggest two weeks of our lives. If we get to a World Cup, that’s all that matters.

“I signed up to this fouryear plan and I’m not missing out on it. There’s too much at stake.

“I can’t promise anything. I can’t even say that (he will be ready for second leg on November 15). But I’m giving myself every chance.”

Ange Postecoglou and the medical team chose to delay Cahill’s flight by 24 hours, with the Socceroos’ record scorer revealing the extraordinary lengths he has gone to in a bid to reduce swelling since limping off at AAMI Park.

Cahill arranged his own personal physio, Kevin Reynolds, and Melbourne City physio Cody Williamson to treat him over the weekend, while Attwell’s flight was postponed along with Cahill’s.

“We’ve got a 15 hour flight, so I’ll get probably four treatments plus ice on it the whole way there,’’ he said.

“It was the most (treatment) I’ve ever done in my life (before departing), but I made sure I got eight hours sleep. The moment I (woke up) it was (treated). Kevin in the mornings for six hours, then Cody for six-to-eight hours, 11pm bed and then wake up and start again.

“It’s not 100 per cent in my favour, but all I can do is use the experiences from the past.”