Chelsea's interim coach Guus Hiddink has promised Sunderland's relegation rivals that he will not rest many of his top stars in their final game of the season on Sunday.

Sunderland are only two points clear of the relegation zone and need to win their final game at home to Chelsea to guarantee a place in the Premier League next season.

But fears that Chelsea would field an understrength side at the Stadium of Light have been soothed by the Dutch coach. The match comes six days before Chelsea play Everton in the FA Cup final at Wembley but their chances of snatching second place in the league look remote.

Liverpool need only a draw at home against Tottenham to secure the runner-up spot but with Newcastle away to Aston Villa and Hull at home to Manchester United, there is plenty at stake at the bottom end.

Newcastle and Hull will be delighted to learn that Hiddink views Chelsea's game at Sunderland as a vital part of the team's preparation for the FA Cup final.

"I don't want to rest a lot of people because they need to maintain their physical shape and also the way we want them to play," said Hiddink. "If I rest too many people then I don't think it's good preparation for Wembley."