Laurent Blanc has defended both Edinson Cavani and Thiago Silva ahead of Paris Saint-Germain's Ligue 1 encounter with Lens on Friday.
With Zlatan Ibrahimovic sidelined with a heel injury, Cavani, 27, will get a rare opportunity to play in his preferred central role when the French champions meet their northern rivals at the Stade de France.
After scoring three goals in nine league outings this season, Cavani has come in for criticism from a number of quarters with media questioning PSG paying a French record 64 million euros to Napoli for the Uruguay international just over a year ago.
Blanc, 48, however, retains his faith in Cavani, who declined an opportunity to play for his country during the international break in order to focus on recapturing his best form for his club.
"I'm profiting from the situation. The national team is always important for a player. There was a discussion between him and the coach. 'Edi' chose to stay here because he realised he was lacking some things at certain levels," Blanc said.
"I think he's much better. He's given of himself. He wanted to work a lot. He perhaps felt that he wasn't in the best spell of his career, and he sought refuge in work. In that area, he is exceptional. He has been able to re-find certain feelings, notably in front of goal, and I am looking forward to him confirming that in a game."
While Cavani will have the opportunity to do that against Lens, who are playing three "gala" league encounters in Paris while their own stadium is renovated ahead of Euro 2016, Silva will not.
Though originally expected to be in PSG's squad for the game and in line to play his first match since injuring a hamstring in early August, the Brazil captain's name was missing when Blanc's selection was published.
However, the PSG boss rejected suggestions his captain, who turned 30 in September and has suffered relatively serious thigh injuries in each of his two previous seasons at the Parc des Princes, was past his peak.
"It's crazy the way we think about age at the moment," Blanc said. "At 30, you're young and in top shape. Even at 40, and I would say even at 50! He's had injuries, but all players have injuries.
"You're talking to me about Thiago Silva at 30. He's good, he's very good! Don't worry. He's had muscle injuries because he is perhaps more inclined to have them than others. But he's going to be in full possession of his powers. To play central defence at 30, it's the best time. At 30, you have the experience, you have everything."