AC Milan's players are all rallying behind coach Filippo Inzaghi, according to Stephan El Shaarawy.
El Shaarawy, 22, is currently sidelined with a fractured metatarsal in his right foot and is not due back for another few weeks as his struggling Milan side sit 11th in Serie A.
Inzaghi has come under increasing pressure in his first season in charge at the San Siro following four defeat in the Rossoneri's last five games, though El Shaarawy says his recovery is coming on faster than expected and he hopes to be back soon to relieve the pressure on his under-fire coach.
"Inzaghi is giving it everything, as is the whole squad," Mediaset reports El Shaarawy saying at an awards ceremony in Milan on Tuesday. "We all have faith in him. He's a great coach and a great person too, so we are all with him and hope to do well together.
"It's not an easy time for us, but we've got to remain united. We know that we are a strong team and we just need a bit of conviction. A month ago, we were being considered as title candidates or in the running for a place in the Champions League and now [people are saying] we're going to be relegated. We've just got to take things game by game."
A six-week break was forecast for El Shaarawy when he fractured his toe last month, but he says he is happy with how his recovery is proceeding.
"I'm feeling better," he said. "The foot's getting better, but I still need to wait just a few more weeks before I can remove the cast. My aim is to get back as soon as possible to help the team. This injury is not as bad as the previous one.
"I'm working a bit in the gym and let's say things are getting better. Psychologically I'm fine. I've already been through something like this before, sadly, so I'm more serene about it."
Milan currently sit six points behind the top five and a qualifying berth for Europe next season. On Sunday they host Empoli, who are six points behind the Rossoneri.