DAVID MOYES has questioned the commitment of some Sunderland players after learning he will have to head into the final game of the season at champions Chelsea struggling to field an experienced team.

The Black Cats have 11 players ruled out of action for the trip to Stamford Bridge and he is clearly frustrated at the lack of options he has to call on as he looks to bring an end to such a depressing campaign on a positive note.

Moyes has not suggested that any of his players are feigning, but he thinks there should be greater determination to end the season with one final appearance before a break.

Instead he will be without a full team in West London and it is likely to mean having to shuffle things around, particularly at the back where full-backs Billy Jones or Donald Love may have to start alongside John O’Shea.

Lamine Kone (dead leg), Jason Denayer (thigh) and Papy Djilobodji (sore thigh) are the defenders missing, along with the more long term absence of Jan Kirchhoff (knee) who is set to become a free agent this summer.

Across the midfield George Honeyman (back) is still unavailable, as are Steven Pienaar (foot), Didier Ndong (dead leg) and Paddy McNair. Further forward Wahbi Khazri (sore knee) has joined Duncan Watmore (knee) and Victor Anichebe (hamstring) on the sidelines.

The situation – at the end of a campaign already blighted by injury problems – caps a dreadful first ten months in charge for Moyes and he will be delighted when the final whistle has blown to draw a line under the mess.

Moyes said: “I would have hoped some would have pulled through and rolled their sleeves up, knowing that we’re in a difficult situation and shown that they’re committed to trying to find a way of playing. It looks like some haven’t. They are all ruled out.”

Sunderland were relegated a couple of weeks ago and head to Stamford Bridge playing for pure pride as Chelsea prepare to celebrate lifting the Premier League title in front of their eyes – just as they did two years ago under Jose Mourinho.

Moyes said: “We will have a team out there and put on as strong a performance as we did against Arsenal on Tuesday. They are worthy champions. I admire the manager. He has done very well. He changed it to a back three after ten games and since then have been very good. Worthy Champions. They answered early season questions.”

While some of Sunderland’s problems are long term, Moyes did admit that his injured personnel have been scanned and “something has shown” up on those. He clearly feels, though, some could still have battled on for one more match.

Ndong and Kone are two of those to have picked up fresh problems at Arsenal in midweek. Moyes said: “Both of them hobbled off and had injuries. Kone had a dead leg from (Olivier) Giroud. Ndong was struggling 20 minutes before the end. Both have said they’re unavailable, they’ve said they’re not fit to play.

“We’ve assessed them as well. Both played in the game in midweek and put a shift in. You’d have to say they both had good enough performances and I wouldn’t question anything to do with that.

“I can’t question their injuries because they were both out there and were on the treatment table straight after the game.”

The list of absentees has opened the door for Adnan Januzaj to make his first start for a few matches, having had to be introduced as a substitute at Arsenal because of injuries.

Moyes had decided he was not going to turn to the Belgian again because he is due to return to Manchester United at the end of his loan. However, that has all changed and he hopes the 22-year-old will make a success of his time at Old Trafford.

The Sunderland boss said: “He’s the best technical player. He’ll have a big future. He would be disappointed that he’s not been able to score or assist with more goals.

“Some of his performances at times have been very good. He came on the other night and you could see he’s got something – he’s got really good ability. I just think that he’s come and he’s found it quite difficult here.

“He’s played quite a lot of games. But I was looking to Adnan to add goals, because we have not scored enough goals this year. He assisted at Crystal Palace and against Watford. But really we were looking for a bit more of that.

“He’s a really good talent. It wouldn’t surprise me if Manchester United took him back and gave him a new contract. I think Manchester United will look to see what to do with him.”