"We always try to field our men in more than one position, so as we make them ready to play any time. Flexibility is important," he told Modern TV.

Hassan deployed Omar Gaber as a midfielder because he opted to rest Ibrahim Salah and Ashour Al-Adham ahead of the Cairo derby against Ahli on December 30th.

Ahmed Samir, who missed the five-time African champions' trip to Degla, once said his coach plays him in four different positions during training.

Zamalek are on top of the league table with 30 points.