Everton midfielder Tim Cahill will not be involved in Australia's friendly against Nigeria on Saturday at Craven Cottage after the Merseysiders insisted he rests during the international break.

Cahill is expected to attend the match in London, but the Australians have accepted a request for the 27-year-old to sit out the game.

Everton want Cahill to have a fortnight's rest to recover from several "bumps and bruises" ahead of next Saturday's home game with Sunderland.

Everton have taken a tough stance with the Australians following Cahill's involvement in the Asian Cup when he was not fully recovered from a metatarsal injury.

Cahill then suffered a recurrence in pre-season and missed the first 13 games of the season.

Cahill's club mate Joseph Yobo has already withdrawn from the Nigeria squad after revealing he had been playing with a broken toe, but Everton duo Ayegbeni Yakubu and Victor Anichebe are available for the Africans.