David Moyes orders Sunderland players to create more for Jermain Defoe as they look to recreate great escape

Sunderland boss David Moyes has ordered his players to make the most of Jermain Defoe ahead of their relegation dogfight with Crystal Palace on Saturday.

Moyes will go head to head with his immediate predecessor Sam Allardyce at Selhurst Park, who masterminded a remarkable rescue mission last term.

But the Scot has highlighted that Defoe’s continued presence is needed to help fire the club out of Premier League relegation trouble.

However, the last of Defoe's 12 goals this term came in a 3-1 home defeat by Stoke on January 14, and Moyes admits the former England international will need more chances if he is to continue to do what he does best.

"There was a bit of noise at the start of the window, but everybody knew that he was vital to us. But we have got to get him opportunities to score, and that's probably been something in recent weeks we have not done,” said the Sunderland boss.

"We have not had enough opportunities. We had one or two in midweek that didn't fall to Jermain (in the 0-0 draw with Tottenham). We made a couple of chances in the first half, but we need to try to get a situation where we are creating more chances.

"We miss Victor (Anichebe) for that as well because Victor brings other parts to the game and gets us a bit higher up the pitch at different times.

"But we have to keep getting Jermain those opportunities to score."

Full-back Patrick van Aanholt could line up for Palace against his former club following his £14million departure in the January window.

Meanwhile new Sunderland signings Bryan Oviedo and Darron Gibson could be involved for the first time in the crucial encounter.