Sunderland boss David Moyes has ordered his players to make the most of Jermain Defoe's continued presence to help him fire the club out of Premier League relegation trouble.
West Ham launched a tentative £6million bid to lure the 34-year-old striker away from the Stadium of Light during last month's transfer window, but were swiftly rebuffed with the Black Cats knowing he represents their best chance of staving off the drop for a fifth successive season.
However, the last of Defoe's 12 goals to date this term came in a 3-1 home defeat by Stoke on January 14, and Moyes admits the former England international will need more chances if he is to continue to do what he does best.