Lee Bullen insists Ayr are ready to tackle the most pivotal week of their season head on.
United will rack up 840 miles on the road in the space of seven hectic days as they face Cove twice and Queen’s Park.
A Balmoral league and cup double header sees Ayr in the north east twice in the space of four days.
But Bullen is adamant there will be no excuses from his squad as they kick off the marathon with this Friday night’s televised Championship clash.
He told the Ayrshire Post: “The boys are resillient and will come through it no problem.
“Playing Friday-Tuesday-Friday will be a test, no question, but that kind of schedule is something I’m well used to from down south.
“The mentality of our group is really strong and there will certainly be no excuses among any of them.
“We’ll approach the week in the right manner and take each game as it comes.”
Ayr then return to Cove quickly for the postponed Scottish Cup fourth round tie that now dangles a huge carrot.
The winner hosts League Two Elgin City – with a last eight spot and six figure prize money awaiting the victor.
Bullen said: “We’re not going to get ahead of ourselves by thinking of what lies down the road.
“I’ve been in that movie too many times before.
“My only focus is one game at a time and we have a very important league fixture up there on Friday before any thoughts can turn to the cup.”
Ayr will head north on Friday without Andy Murdoch, who is being targeted at a return against Queen’s Park after his thigh injury.
Frankie Musonda returns to training later this week following his long stint out with a calf strain.
Jordan Houston will be in the squad for Friday, but the game could come just too soon for Daire O'Connor.
•Ayr are closing in on two new faces in attacking areas after losing Brad Young and Logan Chalmers.
Talks are underway with potential targets but Bullen stressed: “We won’t panic and add for the sake of it.
“If we have to go right to the end of the window to get the right ones, we will.”
United hope to hold on to Josh Mullin, with Livingston continuing to hint over a possible recall for the midfielder.
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