The news could not have come at a worse time for the Toffees as they prepare to go to Anfield for the 178th Merseyside derby on Sunday with the battle for fourth place hotting up.

Liverpool's defeat to Manchester United last weekend means Everton could go ahead of their nearest rivals with a victory at Anfield but Cahill's absence will be sorely felt.

The 28-year-old has struggled for fitness in the past month and managed just 10 minutes in the 1-1 draw with West Ham last weekend before being substituted.

Toffees manager David Moyes has accepted defeat in terms of the 10-goal midfielder featuring again this campaign.

"He has a broken foot and I wouldn't expect him to play again this season," said Moyes.

"It is disappointing but it happens. I think we can cope (with Cahill's absence)."

Cahill has played a key role for Everton in terms of his goalscoring ability from midfield, with his trademark late runs into the penalty area and aerial power a significant weapon for the side.

To have him missing as they try to overhaul their local rivals on a ground where Everton have not won since 1999 is a considerable blow.

"There is no doubt it is an important game - Liverpool are fourth and we are fifth and we can go above them if we win it," said Moyes, who has yet to enjoy victory over the Reds away from home.

"But there are games to play after that and there is still a lot of football to come."

With the two neighbours both challenging for the final Champions League place Sunday's fixture has been built up as being the match which will decide the European fate of both clubs. Moyes refused to get drawn into the hype, insisting he just concentrates on the next game.

"This week I feel it is the greatest fixture - it is the only one that matters to me," he added.

"It might be the knock-out blow (in the race for fourth) but then again it might not be.

"There is a lot of football to play this time of year and you can never be sure.

"We have to make sure we get enough points so we are not caught up by the teams behind us and if we can get some valuable points from the remaining seven games then hopefully it might see us overtake Liverpool in fourth."

Everton are certainly overdue a win at Anfield, having been waiting since Kevin Campbell struck the only goal in their last victory on the ground in September 1999.

Since then they have recorded just two successes at Goodison Park in their last 16 encounters across the Stanley Park divide.

And Moyes knows the atmosphere at Anfield will be equally as tough for his team on Sunday.

"It is a fantastic football stadium and has been long before I came to this city," he said.

"It is a great footballing centre, a fantastic atmosphere, and I look forward to it."

There is some good news for Moyes ahead of the match with striker Andrew Johnson fit again after a groin injury forced him to miss last weekend's game against West Ham.