Diego Simeone believes Atletico Madrid have enough depth to cope with some impending fixture congestion as they prepare for the first leg of their Copa del Rey fourth-round tie with Reus Deportiu.
The trip to Catalunya will be the first in a sequence of six games in the space of 20 days, which includes an important Champions League clash with Benfica.
"We re-armed the team [against Espanyol] with Saul, Oliver and Koke – three lads from our youth academy," Simeone said.
"The competition gives everyone a chance to play and that's good for everyone and for the team.
"Saul, should play there [in Tiago's role]. He knows the zone, and we have [Matias] Kranevitter arriving soon to cover that position."
Gabi missed Atletico's weekend clash with Espanyol through suspension and could return to the first team, providing Simeone with an additional option in midfield.
Edgar Hernandez's seven league goals and former Real Madrid youth player Alex Colorado's total of six has helped propel them to the summit.
Natxo Gonzalez's team have eliminated Asco, Arandina and Lleida Esportiu en route to this stage and their only defeat on home soil this term came against Sabadell in the Copa Catalunya.
