Everton FC News: Marouane Fellaini fearing another derby day yellow peril

Nov 13 2009 by Ian Doyle, Liverpool Daily Post

Everton FC News: MAROUANE FELLAINI is walking a derby disciplinary tightrope for the second season in succession.

The Everton midfielder’s yellow card in the weekend win at West Ham United was his fourth domestic caution of the campaign.

Another booking would trigger an instant one-game ban, meaning if Fellaini goes into the referee’s notebook against Manchester United on Saturday week he would miss the game at Hull City four days later.

But if his fifth booking arrives during the trip to the KC Stadium, Fellaini would sit out the Goodison derby on November 29.

Coincidentally, the Belgian was suspended for two games against Liverpool back in January after picking up a yellow card in the home win against Hull.

One player who would not appreciate any time out of the Everton team is Tim Cahill.

The Australian is preparing with his country in Muscat for their Asia Cup qualifier against Oman at the weekend, having netted the only goal in the meeting between the teams last month in Melbourne.

It’s the latest long-haul journey for Cahill, with the midfielder already helping the Socceroos qualify for next summer’s World Cup.

And despite the injury crisis that has gripped Everton this season, Cahill has pledged to make himself available for his country at every opportunity leading into the finals in South Africa.

“I don’t want a rest,” he said. “It would be nice to be recharged, but I feel coming into the World Cup it’s about playing as many games as possible. Have the games instead of trying to protect my body.

“The reverse psychology is by the time the World Cup comes around, you’ll be injured. So I just look at it, play Wednesday, Saturday, Tuesday, whatever. I’m up for it. I’m for continuity, keeping playing, keeping the momentum. The more you play, you create the better style of football, which is what everyone’s waiting for in Australia. We want to go into the World Cup playing good football.”

While Fellaini and Cahill are both expected to line up at Old Trafford, one person who will not be pitchside is United manager Sir Alex Ferguson, who was given a two-game touchline ban at an FA Regulatory Commission hearing yesterday following comments made about referee Alan Wiley after United drew 2-2 with Sunderland last month.

The Scot was also fined £20,000, and a further two game ban is suspended until the end of next season.

Meanwhile, former Everton defender Craig Short has become the temporary manager of Hungarian League side Ferencvaros.