Michael O'Neill says Northern Ireland face a logistical nightmare when they resume their Euro qualifying campaign in September.
Next up for O'Neill and his players is an away double-header against Slovenia and Kazakhstan.
Northern Ireland face Slovenia at the Stadion Stozice in Ljubljana on September 7 before taking on Kazakhstan three days later in Astana.
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O'Neill is already behind the eight-ball following a poor start to the qualifiers, having picked up just three points from four opening games.
Their latest defeat was against Kazakhstan last Monday night, the loss coming three days after a 1-0 reverse in Denmark.
But while Northern Ireland face stern tests on the pitch, they also face a travel headache in September.
"There is a lot that goes into the next trip, it is as challenging an international trip as I have had. In my first campaign I think we had a double-header away to Azerbaijan and Israel which wasn’t easy," O'Neill said.
"This time we have got Slovenia and Kazakhstan and it is a big journey. The fixtures are difficult because Kazakhstan are at home in both games so they don’t have to deal with the journey, that is a nice situation for them to have.
"We just have to be ready to play."
O'Neill admits he is more hopeful than confident that he will have some of his missing key players back for September.
The international boss was without 10 regulars for the games against Denmark and Kazakhstan, including inspirational captain Steven Davis, Stuart Dallas and Corry Evans.
O'Neill was forced to draft in several Under 21 players to plug the holes, while some of his other players stepped up despite not playing regular club football.
He hopes that picture changes over the summer.
"We have a number of players who are in that phase of moving clubs, there are probably a number of players who are out of contract and are considering what their next step is, whether that is at club or international level," he said.
"I’ll keep in touch with the players over the summer months and hopefully they are in a good place when it comes round. The younger players who have been out on loan, we would like to see them continue to play first-team football and then we will assess where we are in terms of picking a squad for September with the long-term injuries.
"But I am not optimistic that the likes of Steven Davis, Corry Evans and Stuart Dallas will be fit in September. I just have to hope that that is the case."
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