NIGEL Winterburn insists he is still to get settled into his role as Blackburn Rovers defensive coach after a frustrating couple of months.

The former Arsenal legend admits he has ‘hardly done anything yet’ in his job at Ewood Park due to the number of international fixtures.

Since Rovers boss Paul Ince arrived in East Lancashire this summer with his own backroom staff, two enforced breaks for international games have hindered any chance for extensive coaching.

Only this week has Winterburn finally got stuck into the Rovers defence on the training ground, after the recent batch of World Cup qualifying games, and that will be viewed as good timing following Saturday’s defensive horrow show, a 4-0 defeat to Arsenal at Ewood Park.

Although based in London, the 44-year-old is anticipated to carry out at least two sessions per week at Blackburn’s training ground at Brockhall, while he will also spend time studying Rovers’ performances on video.

With a more hands-on approach at Rovers, Winterburn remains confident that Ince and his team will soon stamp their mark.

FROM BACK PAGE He said: “I have not really started yet because of all the international breaks that have happened, so I have only really been in a couple of days.

“My first couple of months have been very bitty and it has been frustrating because I just want to get going, but I think it is even more frustrating for the managers.

“I am frustrated because I can’t do anything and I think it is even more frustrating at this club especially, because we have a new manager and a new set-up.

“I think Paul Ince wants to play a more attacking style of football and in the next couple of months, it will increasingly become his team.”

With a glittering Highbury career under his belt, Winterburn is no stranger to what it takes to achieve success - having won a clean sweep of the major domestic trophies.

He insists though international football is taking over the English game more than ever before, leaving clubs little time to prepare for Premier League battle.

“It does seem a lot different to when I was a player,” he said.

“But I suppose there are a lot more foreign players in the league and so when international games are happening, clubs virtually stop for a week.

“I think there is another break in about a month’s time and then, after that, there should be an extended spell when the team can really be worked on.

“The problem is even when the players are back, the managers have to be so careful not to do too much because of the amount of football they are playing.

“Some of the lads won’t get back for the weekend until Friday morning and how are you meant to prepare when that is happening? I suppose it is something we all have to accept though.”