EVERY one of Sunderland’s players has been challenged to prove they deserve to be regarded as Premier League footballers between now and the end of the season after recently showing what they are capable of.

The Black Cats head into this afternoon’s visit of Southampton to the Stadium of Light on the back of the performance of their season at Crystal Palace last weekend.

It was Sunderland’s biggest margin of victory on their travels in the top-flight since October 1999 at Bradford City, while they had not gone into a four goal half-time lead since facing Chelsea earlier that year.

David Moyes was, rightly, impressed with his players’ performances at Selhurst Park; one which highlighted that they can turn it on at that level and what they can do at the highest level.

The Sunderland boss thinks that Lamine Kone is the perfect example of that, having kept him at the club beyond the January transfer window and he has been key to two clean sheets against Palace and Tottenham.

"You know me I'll tell you this straight, I never at any time had any offers coming in for Lamine,” said Moyes, knowing there had been interest in him from Everton and West Ham.

“We had nothing. I wouldn't have let him go anyway. He's too important. He's come back from the Africa Cup of Nations, he's helped us, scored a good goal and I think he's played well for the last few games. They (Didier Ndong) look fresh.

"Maybe, sometimes there's too many things going on. Every player needs to show they're a Premier League player now, every player in the club needs to show that, and they've got a great opportunity to do it between now and the end of the season.”

Even though Sunderland still lack options in certain areas, particularly up front after missing out on Leonardo Ulloa, Moyes is not close to bringing in another free agent. They have been linked with Robbie Keane, he said: “I haven't even looked. The truth is if there's anybody out there I'd be very surprised. I've not had any calls.”

The focus, therefore, is on getting the best out of those he already has at his disposal. Adnan Januzaj is a player he is particularly paying close attention to.

The young Belgian laid on Jermain Defoe’s two goals last Saturday at Crystal Palace and looked a lot brighter than he has done in a Sunderland shirt. Moyes showed faith in him to bring him on loan from Manchester United.

He said: “I think Adnan is a top player, he needs to lift his levels and standards, even good players who come to Sunderland can find it difficult at times.

“Adnan has found it difficult, hopefully he will step up to the plate. I need him. There’s a few who haven’t reached the standards I would have liked, but we need those in the second half of the season.”

If Sunderland can collect the points today it is not inconceivable that they can jump from bottom to 15th, if things don’t go well for the teams above. The likes of Hull and Swansea are showing signs of life under new managers.

Moyes, knowing Palace, Leicester and Middlesbrough look to have growing fears, said: "I think the other teams you mention will not be happy being talked about that they're in that position, and that's good.

“They will now be having to look over their shoulder, we're looking upwards because that's the only way we can look. We're looking up to catch the teams above us.

"Being out of the bottom three at the end of the season is the key. It would be good to be out of it now. But not as good as it will be at the end of the season. If we can get out now and stay away from it, good stuff.

“We've got to make sure we keep doing the good things we've done in recent weeks. Our squad looks a bit stronger, although we're still picking up the odd injury here and there. Our bench looks a bit stronger, and we have to hope that helps us get a result.”