Diego Simeone heaped praise on Alexander Sorloth, highlighting his ability to change Atletico Madrid's fortunes from the bench.

Sortloth, signed from Villarreal for a reported fee of €32million in August, has been behind the pairing of Julian Alvaraz and Antoine Griezmann for much of the season.

However, the 29-year-old has still netted 12 LaLiga goals this term, averaging a goal every 96 minutes.

Only Alvarez (14) has netted more goals this term, but Sorloth (23.53%) boasts a better shot conversion rate than the Argentinian (21.88%), scoring his haul from 51 shots.

"I'm very happy with his work, I let him know that," Simeone told reporters ahead of Atletico's meeting with Las Palmas on Saturday.

"Everything he's giving us, when he's had to start or come in to change some games that weren't on track ... That's his job. He's a penalty area striker.

"The passages of the games are very changeable and he is fulfilling his role, being important for the team."

Atletico sit third in LaLiga with 63 points from 31 matches, and are looking to make up some ground on Barcelona and Real Madrid with a victory on Saturday.

Atletico have won seven of their last nine away games against Las Palmas in LaLiga (L2), including three of four under Simeone (L1).

"Las Palmas have a coach who works very well. He knows how to compete in this situation," Simeone said.

"They have competed well and that's important. We know their needs, and we know what we need. They have good direct play, good transition with guys with good feet.

"[Striker] Fabio Silva has great physical strength. He has an effort for everything in attack. Any coach who has him appreciates that."

Atletico will be able to call upon forward Angel Correa against Las Palmas after the Argentine international completed his five-game suspension for insulting a referee in a league loss at Getafe in March.

"We missed him, without a doubt. He's a player who, when he comes on, has shown over the years that he can be decisive, and he gives us a lot of things," Simeone said.

"Now we have been training very well every day that he wasn't able to compete, with the commitment he has always had to the team..."