Macarthur FC coach Mile Sterjovski is confident the Bulls can manoeuvre through a jam-packed fixtures and get results in both their A-League Men and Asian Champions League 2 campaigns.
The Bulls have played three games in nine days and that will extend to five in 17 days with upcoming matches against Cong An Hanoi FC on Thursday, then Sydney FC next Sunday.
Macarthur have one win, one draw and one loss in the ALM and have the same record in ACL 2.
With Dean Bosnjak sidelined for the next two-to-three weeks and Chris Ikonomidis (ankle) out for potentially another six, the Bulls' depth will be tested.
"It's gonna be hard making the decisions on who should play, trying to balance – we've got two very important games," Sterjovski said after Saturday night's 1-1 draw with Western Sydney.
"So we've just got to take it as it goes, see how the boys pull up and make the right decisions for each game.
"It's definitely not easy but we'll do everything we can to make sure we do the right things by the players and put the right kind of sessions on and make sure they recover in the right way, just to give them every chance to back up.
"From now until Thursday, obviously we have a bit more time and we can do things a bit differently
"But the turnaround from Thursday night to Sunday against Sydney, that's going to be the tricky one and hoping that we get that right, with the right players."
The international break follows the Sydney game which could give Sterjovski licence to push some players.
Sterjovski expects to lean on experienced players like Luke Brattan and Tomi Uskok to take on heavy work loads.
"They've been part of a lot of situations in football and having to backup playing midweek and then on the weekend a few times in a row - I think they're capable of doing it," he said.
"Their bodies are used to it, they're definitely players that I look to be able to do that for our team and for our squad."
Liam Rose limped off in the 77th minute but Sterjovski was hopeful his injury wasn't serious.
"I think we're gonna get him scanned but it doesn't seem too bad from what he says," Sterjovski said.
But the Bulls coach is happy to back the depth he has in his squad.
"At the moment we're being tested but it gives others an opportunity," he said.
"It gives the young boys especially an opportunity to see what they've got, see if they can step up – and I don't mind that as well."
