Torino coach Sinisa Mihajlovic has said the club did not "throw money away" when they signed M'Baye Niang from AC Milan.
Niang, 22, joined for €15 million in the summer window, but the forward has scored only once in eight appearances this season.
Mihajlovic left him on the bench for the win over Cagliari on Sunday, but stressed that was not a punishment for poor form.
"Niang knows that he's got to grow, but I can guarantee that we've not thrown money away on him," Mihajlovic said at his postmatch news conference.
"He's a special lad who has the quality to do well, and I know that he will do.
"I've had to change things around in recent games because we were being too predictable with four forwards.
"We weren't creating any chances and I had to work on strengthening the defence, but I'm sure he will get back to being the player he was at Milan."
Niang failed to hold down a regular starting berth in a Milan team coached by Mihajlovic before joining Watford on loan for the second half of last season.
His omission from the starting lineup coincided with Torino's return to winning ways on Sunday in a game Mihajlovic said could have been his last had his team not won it.
"I knew what the risks were, but I've always felt the club's faith in me," he added.
"There were a lot of rumours, but the team has remained united and we need to believe in what we are doing and work hard.
"We've been a bit unlucky, with a lot of injuries. It was fundamental to win, and you could see the real spirit of Toro."