The Socceroos legend said after Wednesday night's match that he had some "big decisions to make".

"I need to play and I need to stay fit. I feel great even though I've got an ankle injury and that's something I'll look at in the next few weeks," he told Fox Sports.

"I would have done anything to be part of this group and I'm going to do anything to stay a part of it."

On Thursday morning, as he mulled his selection for Friday night's A-League fixture against Brisbane, Joyce said that that Cahill remains a crucial member of his squad.

The reason he has missed so many games for City this season is down more to the FFA's scheduling than it is to Cahill's form or ability, Joyce said.

Joyce, a former Manchester United staff coach, is used to dealing with big players who make big demands, and understands that the talismanic striker, desperate to play (and score) in a fourth World Cup, wants to give himself every possible chance of doing so.

"I have sent Timmy a text this morning and I will talk to him later in the day.

"He's an important player for us. He's not had any conversations with me about this. He started the last game against Sydney (the champions) which is as big a game as we have all season.

"He's the club captain and part of our leadership team here."

Cahill's lack of game time so far this season has had a lot to do with his Socceroos commitments.

He was forced to miss the opening match because he was away with the Socceroos in Malaysia playing against Syria and has also been absent because of the games against Honduras.

He was also missing from part of the build-up to the season because he was required for games against Japan and Thailand, meaning Joyce could not fully integrate him as much as he wanted to in the set up and tactical structure he was developing for the team.

"This is the only country, as far as I know, that does not have an international break," said Joyce.

"Timmy has been involved in a lot of football and not with us as a result."

Would Cahill have been a guaranteed starter if that hadn't been the case?

"I can't honestly say, but you would have thought he would have played a major part.

"The facts are that he's been away on international breaks but he's the club captain, he started the last game and he's in the leadership group. That's all I am thinking about at the moment".

Cahill was expected to be the fulcrum of the team's attack in the absence of injured marquee striker Bruno Fornaroli, but on-loan striker Ross McCormack, signed from Aston Villa on a short-term deal, has started and so far contributed four goals in his six appearances.

Cahill signed a multi-million dollar contract with City at the start of the 2016/17 season.

A regular start last season, he made a major contribution to the club's FFA Cup success. His deal provided for him to have two years as a player, with the third season - which would begin after the World Cup in Russia - having a provision for him to transition into a coaching role.

If City fulfil the promise they have shown in the early rounds of this season, Cahill's concerns over game time might be a little premature.

The finals series - which Joyce's side is expected to make - begin on the weekend of April 20, and if they go all the way to the grand final that will be staged on the weekend of May 5.

That would keep Cahill match fit right up to the point that Postecoglou would likely call players into a pre-World Cup training camp.

Whether he will be involved in Friday night's match against Roar remains to be seen.

Joyce is sweating on the fitness of a number of players who are nursing knocks, and will make a decision on who starts closer to kick-off.