Tim Cahill will definitely be fit for the World Cup, but Australia should be careful not to over-extend him, his club manager David Moyes has warned.

Cahill had been thought to be touch-and-go for the World Cup after injuring a posterior cruciate knee ligament, but could now be back in training as soon as next week.

"I don't think his knee is as bad as what we thought it would be but it is a problem with the cruciate," said Moyes.

"Not part of the cruciate which requires an operation or causes any problems."

Moyes has clashed with Football Australia before over Cahill, blaming national team action for his star midfielder's slow start to this season.

Now he is warning the Socceroos camp not to ask too much of Cahill in Germany.

"The last thing I want as Everton manager is Tim Cahill coming back injured from the World Cup because that would be no good either for him or for the club," Moyes said.

"We have to hope that Australia do the right thing.

"We certainly will and if we have our way we want Tim to go to the World Cup.

"It's great for him and the club."

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