TIM Cahill is still a derby doubt as he battles to recover from a badly bruised shin, according to David Moyes.

The Everton boss was furious when Cahill was hurt in a challenge with Manchester City defender Vincent Kompany during last Saturday’s 2-0 defeat at the Etihad stadium.

Moyes was incensed that Kompany escaped censure for the tackle, with Cahill instead booked and forced to limp off.

The 31-year-old Aussie, who is Everton’s top scorer in post-war derbies, has responded to treatment at Finch Farm but has been unable to train so far this week.

Moyes said: “We’re not sure. His leg was black and blue and he hasn’t trained yet but we’ll be keeping a close eye on him, and we’ll wait and see.

“He’s been doing well for us up front, he hasn’t scored any goals yet but he’s done well.”

Toffees medical staff will give the makeshift centre-forward every chance to prove his fitness, and the feeling at Finch Farm is that he will eventually recover enough to figure against Kenny Dalglish’s men although he is likely to have to carry the knock.

Cahill has form for shrugging off injuries, and last month told Australian media. “I come back and I have never played in the reserves,” he said.

“I always get thrown into the thick of it. I make sure I am in peak form when I return and I spend every day on the bike for half an hour, plus doing weights in the gym, yoga. If I have a leg injury, I still do one-legged bike work while that is repairing.”