David's Defoe dilemma ahead of Sunderland's Saints test

Moyes must balance the temptation to rest Defoe and other players in their 30s against his desire to progress into the quarter-finals.

"I am not in a position where I can shuffle the pack, but I could try not to use some of senior players with the games that are coming up, but I really want to get through in the cup, I really do," the manager said.

It means Moyes is likely to opt to face Southampton without the experience of John O'Shea and Steven Pienaar, but Defoe will definitely be in the squad and could be involved.

Moyes, expected to give Victor Anichebe his first start, said:"There is no big reason for resting loads of players, but our league position means I do have to be careful with certain them, expecially when there is not a lot to select from."

Sunderland's main objective tonight is to move within two rounds of the Wembley final, but Moyes is also hoping for a fringe benefit in the struggle to stay in the Premier League.

He is aware that Sunderland's run to the Capital One Cup final three seasons ago boosted confidence and was regarded as a factor in their escape from relegation.

Now Moyes thinks an unexpected success at St Mary's tonight would help to kickstart a season that has left them only two points after Saturday's defeat at West Ham.

"I think it can," he said. "I genuinely want to go there and get through. We need the winning habit here to build a little bit of confidence and a good feeling. I do think a cup run would be great and I would love to get to a cup final, but it would never take place over being a Premier League team."

Ultimately, Sunderland's Premier League form will shape Moyes's future at the Stadium of Light, but cup success would bolster the confidence of the team and ease the pressure on him from some discontented supporters.

However, the manager maintains it not solely down to him to keep spirits high after their dreadful start to the league season.

He said:"It is a collective job now and not just about the manager. Everyone had the focus on managers in the past, but it has to be about the staff, players and everyone at club. Yes, you can change one guy, but it's been proved in past that is not the answer.

"So it is good to see some players taking responsibility. More and more in football, it is the top players who take responsibility for what they have to do. In the main, my players did that at West Ham."

While Moyes will make a handful of changes to the team that lost at West Ham, Southampton manager Claude Puel is expected to rest most of the players that have featured in their previous two games against Inter Milan and Manchester City.

Moyes said:"If it was home, we would be saying ‘we’ll have a bit of that’. But it's a tough draw to go away to Southampton with the form they are in at the moment.

"I don’t know what they will do, but they have had a busy schedule. They have a good squad, but my feeling is they will probably change their team as well."

Southampton face four games in 11 days, but Frenchman Puel refuses to downgrade the EFL Cup. He said: "I will want of course to take this game with serious quality and with all possibilities to win this game and to continue in this competition.

"We play at the moment four competitions and I think it's important to continue this work.

"Of course it's important to consider the possibilities of my players. We have many injuries. It's difficult now to start with a different team. Young players can play also. We will see.

"It's a difficult game because Sunderland will be freer in their minds to prepare for this game without pressure. It's important for us to continue this work, to play at home and to have the good result."