Australia midfielder Tim Cahill believes Everton will reap the rewards of his rare international break when his side travel to Fulham in the Premier League on Sunday.
Cahill was allowed in remain in England rather than undertake the gruelling trip for a Socceroos friendly against South Korea in Seoul last weekend.
In Cahill's absence, Australia were beaten 3-1 but the 29-year-old expects to be much fresher for Everton this weekend as a result of his unexpected rest.
"The international break has been good. I've been lucky enough to stay back and just rest and prepare for the Fulham game," Cahill told the Liverpool Echo.
"It was only a friendly against Korea, but it's not often that I get this chance.
"It's a massive game against Fulham. It's great to have a win under our belts and to move forward."
After starting their Premier League campaign with two successive defeats, David Moyes's side climbed away from the foot of the table with a 2-1 victory over Wigan in their last match.
Cahill knows it is essential to maintain the momentum from that result if the Toffees are to win at Fulham for the second successive season.
A Leon Osman double on the final day of last season gave Everton their first success at Craven Cottage for almost 43 years and former Millwall star Cahill said: "We're starting to play with a bit of fluidity and the team is looking good.
"We know it's going to be a difficult game but I think the best thing for us is that we're on a bit of a high and we look to keep this train on the tracks.
"Fulham's ground is small and it's a bit more intimate. But I like playing there; I've played there for many a year, starting with Millwall.
"It's got good history, and it seems to be working for them. So we're going there knowing what they're all about and any result for us will be brilliant."
Unlike Cahill, Fulham's Australian goalkeeper Mark Schwarzer did travel to South Korea and is now an injury doubt as a result.
Schwarzer suffered a stiff neck during the trip and Pascal Zuberbuhler is on standby to deputise on Sunday.
England international Andrew Johnson, a former Everton striker, returns from a collarbone injury, but midfielder Danny Murphy faces a late fitness test.