DAVID MOYES has admitted Patrick van Aanholt’s future could be as a wing-back after watching the Dutchman emerge from the bench to secure a point for Sunderland.

Van Aanholt was a surprise name among the substitutes when the teamsheet was announced to face West Bromwich Albion.

But the 26-year-old scored the equalising goal against the Baggies after he was introduced to replace the injured Jan Kirchhoff before the hour. Rather than ask van Aanholt to play in the full-back role he has become accustomed to, however, Moyes decided to change things.

The Holland international operated as a wing-back after a decision was made to change formation in a bid to avoid defeat and it was a tactic which worked.

Now Moyes admits van Aanholt, who only signed a new deal in the summer, could find himself playing in that role more often as Sunderland look to climb away from trouble.

He said: “I think he’s probably a wing-back, he showed that. I’m pleased with the goals he’s come up with, I know that’s what he’s capable of but I’m not pleased with some of the positions he’s been taking up.

“I felt as though I needed to do something about it. We did a bit of training this week with three at the back and four at the back with Pat playing one on to see what I thought, just to plant the seed in my mind as well.

“I’m not saying I will (play him there) but I had a look at it just to see what I thought. I just felt that he needs to improve on his defending because we know what he brings going forward.”

After striking the equaliser in the 56th minute against West Brom, van Aanholt made a bee-line for the Sunderland doctor set to leave in the coming weeks. Dr Ishtiaq Reham is set to part company with Sunderland as Moyes looks for a reshuffle and news of his departure arrived after the former Chelsea defender had to be withdrawn from the starting line-up at Tottenham on the advice of a cardiac specialist. Van Aanholt was then warned about his conduct by his manager after being pictured smoking a shisha pipe.

Moyes said: “He was given a warning letter about his future conduct and told that here at Sunderland we want the players to behave correctly. It was in his own time, so we gave him a warning about how he behaves.”

The point earned by Sunderland prevented a sixth defeat of the season and it ensured they have bettered, slightly, the tally they had three years ago when they hit the eight-match mark with just a solitary point.

The result, earned after van Aanholt’s goal had cancelled out Nacer Chadli’s first-half opener, arrived at a cost. Kirchhoff is expected to be ruled out for weeks. The German midfielder had to be carried off after falling awkwardly and damaging a hamstring.

Moyes said: “Not to have him, Steven Pienaar and Adnan Januzaj is massive, because they help us play better and we are short in that area.

“If we lose Kirch and Catts, we lose a little bit of the steel and a little bit of the boys who have been here before.”