Jim O'Brien: Notts County midfielder on taking caretaker role after Luke Williams exit

Jim O'Brien has been with Notts County for five years

Notts County midfielder Jim O'Brien says he is no hurry to move into management after taking on the role of joint-caretaker boss of the Magpies.

The 36-year-old, as well as first-team coaches Tom Weal and Joao Alves, were put in charge on an interim basis after Luke Williams left for the Swansea job.

O'Brien has previously juggled his playing career with a coaching role with Sheffield United's academy.

"This has been a challenge every day," O'Brien told BBC Radio Nottingham.

"I'm enjoying it. It's stressful though."

O'Brien is Notts' longest-serving player and signed a new 12-month contract with the Meadow Lane club in June after helping them to return to the English Football League after a four-year absence.

He has made 29 appearances for the League Two side in all competitions so far this season, but would not confirm whether he would be making himself available to play against Grimsby on Saturday.

Asked if the caretaker role has him moving towards a full-time role in management, O'Brien said: "I don't know is the only answer I can give, just because it has been so full-on. This is a taster anyway.

"I feel that we have had a really good week considering and I don't know [about going into management] because I like playing.

"And I'm not looking too far ahead. I'm looking forward to the game and am excited for the game on Saturday, excited to see us play and excited to see how the lads work hard for each other, and hopefully go get a positive result."

When announcing Williams' departure a week earlier, a statement from Notts' board of directors said they are "very confident of finding a suitable replacement to fit our ethos and help the club challenge for promotion to League One".

Williams left Notts sixth in the table and just seven points off the automatic promotion places.

Before his departure, O'Brien said he spoke to his former boss about filling in for him.

"We had a chat, it was quick and I wish there was more time," O'Brien said.

"But I've had good chats with him previously through the past 18 months, which have been great, and I've used those chats now in the past week."