Sergio Aguero demonstrated his commitment to Atletico Madrid's cause by missing Argentina's match with Spain during the international break, according to Quique Sanchez Flores.
Aguero has been continually linked with a move away from the Rojiblancos, with Chelsea among those ready to table a £40million bid during the forthcoming January transfer window.
But with Atletico struggling domestically, Aguero was not required by Argentina during the international friendly, to the relief of Sanchez Flores.
"He's a highly committed player to his profession and his club," Sanchez Flores, who has recovered from swine flu, told the club's official website.
"It was tough for him to miss the Spain-Argentina match, and he did all that was possible not to force it.
"Kun (Aguero) did something that was very important, which was to take care of himself and get better to stand up for Atletico Madrid."
Atletico will be seeking to end their miserable run at Deportivo La Coruna, having accumulated seven points from 10 games this season, with just a solitary victory at home to Real Zaragoza on October 3.
Sanchez Flores was cleared by doctors to take charge of the final training session in the build-up to the Deportivo contest after recovering from swine flu.
Diego Forlan missed the session, but the striker, who played as Uruguay secured their World Cup finals place with a draw against Costa Rica in midweek, was named in the squad.
Simao, who helped Portugal prevail in their play-off with Bosnia, was also named, but Jose Antonio Reyes is doubtful with 'muscular problems', while Tomas Ujfalusi was not considered due to illness.
Captain Antonio Lopez believes performances in the 1-0 defeat at Athletic Bilbao and in the 3-2 loss to city rivals Real Madrid before the international break prove Atletico are capable of arresting the slide.
"Right now, we've taken a first step by cleaning up our image a little bit thanks to the good games played against great teams," said Lopez.
"Now the important thing is to win matches and see if we can string together several consecutive victories."
Deportivo coach Miguel Angel Lotina expects Atletico's barren run to end soon and he is concerned his team could be on the receiving end.
"They're one of the grand teams and they're coming to La Coruna in need of points," he told his club's official website, www.deportivo-la-coruna.com.
"We have some players out and some doubts. When you're missing players, others who are working hard get their chance, and beyond the absences the important thing is to keep our personality. That's what concerns me."
Deportivo will be without Sergio (suspended), Juca (thigh), Angulo (knee) and Bodipo (groin), while there are doubts about Daniel Aranzubia (thigh) and Lassad Nouioui (hamstring).
Aranzubia has not trained since Tuesday after a collision with Antonio Tomas that affected a muscle on his right thigh.
