LIVERPOOL, England (AFP) - Everton's worst fears over the injury suffered by Tim Cahill have been realised with manager David Moyes confirming on Friday that the Australian midfielder will miss the rest of the season with a broken metatarsal bone.

Cahill was forced off just ten minutes into last weekend's 1-1 draw with West Ham and Moyes confirmed he had suffered a fracture.

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

Cahill's ability to score crucial goals from midfield will be sorely missed by Everton as they battle Liverpool for fourth place in the Premier League, which carries the lucrative prize of England's final spot in next season's Champions League.

Everton are currently in fifth place, two points behind their Merseyside neighbours whom they face at Anfield on Sunday.