SOCCEROOS coach Holger Osieck says he has ''no right'' to be upset Tim Cahill came off the bench for Everton last weekend just days after he was left out of the World Cup squad because of doubts about his fitness.

Cahill surprised many observers by coming off the bench and playing the final half hour for the Toffees against Newcastle United after effectively being ruled out for the qualifiers against Oman and Thailand on medical grounds. Cahill has had recurring groin problems for most of the year.

''This is club business,'' Osieck said. ''They pay him and, if they think they can play him for a certain time in the game, it is their choice.

''The situation with Tim had been even after the Asian Cup he was not 100 per cent fit, and I knew it. But they [Everton] still played him, because in a way they needed him. That was, down the road, not very beneficial to him. He needs to be fit, 100 per cent fit, which isn't the case.

''I saw the game and was very interested when he came on. He didn't touch the ball too often, he was not very involved, and he plays a different tactical position than he does with the Socceroos. It will be interesting how the story goes on.''

Michael Cockerill