FABIO BORINI has put his poor season on an personal level down to David Moyes’ decision constantly change his position – even if he is willing to do what it takes to help the Sunderland cause.

Borini has failed to hit the heights he would have liked this season and a stop-start campaign, which has also seen him pick up injury problems, has seen him score just once so far.

That goal was at Manchester United on Boxing Day and the honest-talking Italian would love to be having the impact he has enjoyed in previous years when he has helped Sunderland stay up.

Borini was played on the left again at Everton on Saturday when he was unable to pose much of a threat to the home defence, even though the position is familiar to him.

The 25-year-old still views himself as an out-and-out striker, despite rarely playing in that role since moving from Liverpool in the summer of 2015. He had also spent a season on loan in 2013-14.

Jermain Defoe’s incredible form for a club at the bottom of the Premier League has made it even harder for him to start up front, which Borini thinks has prevented him from hitting top gear.

“I need the goals, but more than anything I need to play every week and to know what my role is because it has changed so many times,” said Borini.

“I have been told to play on the left, the right, in the middle, behind the striker, and even left-back when it is needed. If it's needed in a game, that's not a problem.

“But to be consistent and to play in a certain way every week, that would obviously be my preference – not just for myself but for all 11 players, and the 18, and the 22 that are in the squad. We know if we do that, we can get the results as we have in the past.”

Despite Borini’s honesty he also claims he will do his bit for Sunderland and Moyes in whatever position he is asked.

He said: “The fact that the squad is thin is a problem for the manager, but as far as I am concerned I need to adapt to what the team needs.

“When we had so many injuries, if he needed me to play left midfield then I played left midfield. Even if it is not my preference, if I don't like it because I want to score goals, then I have to change my game because helping the team was more important.

“But when you play left midfield, it does not require your goals it requires your defensive side.”

Frustrations are high in the Sunderland squad after another defeat to Everton on Saturday which left them three points adrift of safety at the foot of the table.

The task of staying up will not to be made easier by the visit of Manchester City to the Stadium of Light on Sunday.

Borini, who has formed part of two of Sunderland’s recent successful survival fights, is desperate for improvements in a defensive sense and wants the work-rate to increase so they can stun Pep Guardiola’s side.

He said: “It's frustrating but it's difficult to describe. Away at Everton we knew it would be a hard game, and then at home against Man City we know it is going to be an even harder game, but what we have to do is to stay in the game as long as possible.

“We have to defend and get the ugly bits done then try to get even a scrappy goal to win or, if we can't do that, try to keep a clean sheet so that we get a clean sheet like we did against Tottenham.

“Even against Liverpool at the beginning of January, we conceded two goals but we scored two goals as well by playing our game which was to work hard and try to make a result.”

Sunderland were by no means a disgrace at Goodison Park on Saturday but Moyes felt ‘a lack of quality’ was the main reason for his side’s failure to avoid defeat.

Borini said: “It was upsetting. It was not so much the conceding just before half-time because that is only a mental thing that you can control, but [at Everton] after we had hit the crossbar and taken a corner we were hit on the counter-attack and then we were 2-0 down.

“Before we even realised it, the game was finished with ten minutes to go instead of us being able to create and build on the momentum we had after that great chance. There is a bit of regret, but at the same time it is up to us to do what we have to do to stay up.”

Sunderland Ladies, meanwhile, have confirmed they have parted company with manager Carlton Fairweather.

The 55-year-old has been in charge for the last two seasons and guided them to fourth in the Women’s Super League in 2015.

It is understood Fairweather was asked to carry on as a part-time head coach after last month’s announcement the Ladies will be a part-time operation after cost-cutting measures were revealed.