#SPORTS: I still trust Cavani, insists Blanc

Relations between the pair hit an all-time low after the striker returned late from the winter break, while he has also scored just twice in his last 10 games

Paris Saint-Germain coach

Laurent Blanc is adamant he still trusts

Edinson Cavani, despite the recent feud between the pair and the striker's current woes in front of goal.

Cavani and team-mate Ezequiel Lavezzi returned from the winter break four days late in January, prompting Blanc to issue both players with a two-match ban.

Both men have since returned to the starting XI, but the Uruguay striker has continued to struggle for consistency in front of goal, finding the net just twice in his last 10 games.

One particular below-par performance in PSG's 1-0 win over Rennes in Ligue 1 on January 30 saw the former France boss label Cavani's display "insufficient".

Blanc insists, however, that his patience is not wearing thin with a player who cost €74 million when he joined the club from Napoli in 2013.

"We have to maintain our trust in him," the 49-year-old said on Tuesday. "I am sure he will score goals, even when it seems a little complicated.

"We don't say 'you are bad, you go out'. This is not the best way to restore confidence.

"Sometimes you have to do it for results, but you have to be careful, because the target is not losing the player mentally when he has a big part to play until the end of the season."

Thiago Motta is another member of Blanc's squad whose displays have come under scrutiny in recent months, with the Brazilian a shadow of the player who shone as PSG won Ligue 1 last season.

"

I am very pleased with Thiago Motta, I find you are very severe with him," the former France boss added. "Yes, he had a difficult time, it is not no secret, we were all aware that he had problems, but we have maintained our trust while he was in trouble.

"Since January, I am happy with his games. I saw his stats against Lyon, but it is close, very close to what he did last year in the big games in terms of technicality. He is a player who likes big games and he will perform. I will look after him."