Phil Jagielka rupturing knee ligaments in last weekend's defeat to Manchester City may have set alarm bells ringing with a few players but Moyes insists it must be business as usual.

Four players - Aiyegbeni Yakubu (Achilles), Mikel Arteta, Victor Anichebe and Jagielka (all knee) - have now had their seasons ended prematurely.

But a small playing staff means the Toffees boss cannot afford to protect players, even if he wanted to.

"I don't think we have many changes. We are playing the 14 or 15 players we have available and that is the way it will be," said Moyes.

"We will run that way from now until the FA Cup because the league games are important for us.

"I want to try to finish fifth if I can and if we don't I want to finish sixth.

"We are going to have to win some games in the run-in so from my point of view it is work as usual.

"There is a month to go in the season and I want to finish it off well.

"Last week we had three games in six days and one was extra-time so I felt the need to switch the players around a bit on the Wednesday and the Saturday.

"But if they do drift towards it (the final) then they may end up not playing in it.

"I have got the ability to say that to them so they have got to be the ones that show me how much they want it.

"The league is the one we are concentrating on and if the players are not concentrating on it they are putting themselves and their place in the final in jeopardy."

Everton travel to the Stadium of Light tomorrow to take on Sunderland, who have different problems being just four points above the relegation zone.

Midfielder Jack Rodwell is a doubt after injuring a hamstring playing for the reserves in midweek but on-loan Manchester City striker Jo returns after being ineligible to face his parent club a week ago.

"It is very hard to play the teams fighting relegation at this time of the season because games are running out for them and they know what's at stake," added Moyes.

"In the same breath there is a lot of pressure and anxiety and that can go on to the field as well.

"I'm glad I'm in my position and not theirs. We know it will be a tough game as they will be smarting from their defeat (3-0 at fellow strugglers West Brom) last week.

"They have got some good players Kenwyne Jones, Djibril Cisse, David Healy - potential match-winners.

"But you can say the same about every team in the Premier League, they all have proven goalscorers and people who are important to them.

"I think it is always going to be difficult for the teams who are relatively new to the Premier League.

"Sunderland are relatively new and other teams have found it hard but it is unforgiving, there are no gimmes here.

"If you look at Hull they looked as if they were home and dry November time and you never thought they would be close [to relegation]."