“This is a bloody nuisance,” jokes Derek Fazackerley as he sits down for yet another interview.

Oxford United’s assistant head coach has been a man in demand ever since it was known they would face Blackburn Rovers in the Emirates FA Cup.

The former centre back’s 671 appearances for the Lancashire side remains a club record, ensuring he has been thrust into the spotlight like no other time in his 18 months with United.

“It’s a club still close to my heart and I still have a house in the area,” he said.

“It’s a team I look for on a Saturday to see how they’ve done, but this Saturday it’s a one-off.

“Obviously because I was at the club for such a long time as a player of course there’s things you think about.

“It’s a good game, Blackburn are not in fantastic shape themselves at the moment, they’ve recently changed their manager and it’s possibly a good time to play them.”

While Fazackerley’s playing days at Ewood Park were spent in Divisions 2 and 3, most of his coaching career has been at a higher level.

Newcastle United, Manchester City and England are all on his CV, assisting the likes of Kevin Keegan and Sven-Goran Eriksson.

After such a long time at the top, you might think the daily grind in Sky Bet League Two would prompt the 64-year-old to consider calling it a day.

But Fazackerley said: “From day one when I came here people asked me ‘why Oxford United?’ “I believed this club could achieve something and nothing I’ve seen since then will change my opinion.

“Eventually there will be a time where I might think maybe (about retirement), but I love football and enjoy the involvement week-to-week.

“To stay in football the length of time I have you need to win more games than you lose, because it can be an awfully draining experience if you don’t.

“Fortunately the clubs I’ve been at I have managed to do that.

“It’s what’s kept me going, and long may that continue.”

Fazackerley’s experience is valued behind the scenes, although given the success this season the Lancastrian has not had to manage head coach Michael Appleton very often.

“We’re always looking at ways to improve things but Michael is a switched-on person.

“He knows as good as things are at this particular time with his history in the game there is always something around the corner and you have to be very wary of it.”