Coach hints super-sub role looms for Cahill

BERT van Marwijk has hinted at a bit-part role for Socceroos great Tim Cahill at the World Cup.

Australia’s all-time leading goalscorer seems unlikely to contend for a starting berth in Russia despite heroics in World Cup qualifying that booked the Socceroos a place in Russia.

Cahill, who at 38 is the fourth-oldest player at the tournament, started both of the home qualifiers in successful playoffs with Syria and Honduras last year.

But a lack of game time may have marked his cards with the incoming Dutch coach, who is yet to start the striker in one of his three friendlies to date, and isn’t likely to against Hungary in Australia’s last warm-up match on Sunday morning.

“Everybody knows Tim’s situation. I’ve spoken to him a few times. It’s very clear the situation,” van Marwijk said. “Maybe I will let him play for a period [against Hungary].

“He needs it but he will not become a better player by one game. The problem was already in the last half-year.”

That unspecified “problem” is a lack of game-time at club level.

After severing ties with ALeague club Melbourne City, Cahill struck a romantic move home to former club Millwall in England’s second tier. How- ever, Cahill has had just over an hour of football in 10 substitute appearances for the club in the past six months.

That doesn’t mean he won’t be a weapon for Australia in Russia, with van Marwijk very aware of his qualities.

“When I need him, he must be ready. We’ve discussed that and he’s ready for that. If it’s 30 seconds or 30 minutes, when I need him, he will be ready,” he said.

The former Netherlands national team boss has released the pressure valve in Antalya, calling an end to the high-intensity hot weather sessions that have conditioned his squad over the past three weeks.

Six days after their date with the world No. 49 side comes their World Cup campaign against France, leading van Marwijk to taper off the heavier sessions.

“We will now come into a new rhythm,” he said.