The Reds begin their busy run of games this Wednesday at Perth Glory and Coolen knows it will test his side's character, resolve and fitness.

"We've spoken about that (four games in 12 days). They're important games for us. If we prefer to stay in the position we are now, these games are nice challenges to have," Coolen said.

"A few of them are away and there is a lot of travel, and the squad is not so big at the moment so we have to be careful.

"But we are planned for that and as long as we feel good and play football how we prefer and keep the ball for as long as possible, then we'll see how it goes.

"It will be tough but not only do we have to do it, all of the teams have to do it at some stage and it is not easy."

Coolen confirmed defender Robert Cornthwaite would be a certain starter against Perth after he missed the match with the Heart with a hamstring strain, while the Dutchman has also included Nigel Boogaard in the travelling party for the first time since the ex-Central Coast centre-back injured his ankle in the second week of the season.

It has been a long time coming for Boogaard, and Coolen is pleased to have him available as the Reds' squad is set to be stretched to the limit during their heavy schedule.

"We have to find out how we go through the next couple of weeks, one thing is positive is that Boogaard is back from injury, and we have some new players (Usucar and Slory) from the start of January, so the future is a little bit more positive," Coolen said.

Sergio van Dijk will be hoping to continue his recent purple patch with more goals against Glory.

The Dutch striker has been the Reds' money man of late having scored in each of his past three games, giving him a club record nine goals so far this season.

One player who has enjoyed playing against Perth is Travis Dodd, the Reds skipper having found the back of the net six times against Glory.

Similarly to their last outing against Melbourne Heart which they lost 2-1, the Reds face a team desperate for points and quickly running out of games to contend for a spot in the top six.

Glory have won just once in their past 16 games and are certain to come out all guns blazing on Wednesday night as they try to give their home fans something to cheer about.

Last Friday's experience against Heart is sure to have given the Reds a taste of what to expect against a team fighting for their season, and while more games await, Coolen is not looking any further than achieving a positive result over in the west.

"We have to work from week to week and you have to get your points every week," Coolen said.

"Sometimes a draw is a good result in an away game but there is also the challenge to get three points and that's what we'll go for tomorrow."

Three points from this midweek fixture, which will be midfielder Paul Reid's 50th Hyundai A-League game, would be the ideal start to the Reds' hunt for top spot.

"We've made real big steps from the start of the season and now we have to find out if we can make another step," Coolen said.

"We have to keep the pressure on them (Brisbane Roar) and win our next three or four games, so if we do that there will be pressure on them.

"It will be real hard and I think everybody agrees that they're the best team at the moment, but we won't give up until the last game is played."