Keith Millen insists he has yet to decide whether or not to throw his hat into the ring for the vacant Bristol City manager's job.

Thrust into the role of caretaker boss following Gary Johnson's sudden departure last Thursday, the former Robins defender took charge of the first team for Saturday's Sky-televised encounter with Championship leaders Newcastle United.

And despite making a good start to his second spell as a caretaker boss at Ashton Gate and guiding City to a creditable 2-2 draw against the top side in the second tier, Millen claims he has not had time to consider his long-term future.

"I'm not thinking that far ahead," said Millen. "I have enough on my plate just with picking a team to play Barnsley on Tuesday. That is honestly as far as I'm thinking."

A number of out-of-work managers with Premier League experience, Steve Coppell and Alan Curbishley among them, have been linked with the vacancy, but Millen is the man currently in possession and, providing City continue to pick up points and perform as they did against Newcastle, he could yet emerge as a strong contender to be the next manager. In the meantime, he is playing his cards close to his chest.

Asked about the speculation surrounding Johnson's successor, Millen refused to be drawn and added: "It doesn't bother me at all. I've been asked to do the job for now and that's what I'm doing. I can honestly say, all I'm thinking about right now is Tuesday and getting the team ready for a game against Barnsley.

"Of course, if we go and win the next two or three games, everyone is going to think I'm great. If we don't win the next couple of games, then people will say I'm not up to the job. That's how fickle football is.

"But it's not about me. I have to concentrate on the players and what they are doing. We still need to win a couple of games to be safe and that's what I am focusing on."

City fans will demand a high-profile appointment, but Robins chairman Steve Lansdown is prepared to bide his time and Millen and coaches Alan Walsh and Dave Lee will be given every opportunity to prove their worth.

Millen said: "I know the names that have been put forward for the job and I know they are the ones with experience. But I don't think you need to have managed at the top level.

"There are a lot of managers who have not managed in the Premier League who have taken clubs up from the Championship.

"I've not been asked what I think and I don't really have an opinion at the moment.

"If I'm asked for my opinion, then I will sit down (with Lansdown) and discuss it with him."

Following Johnson's departure by mutual consent, City's players faced what amounted to an acid test against a Newcastle side which looks destined to make a quick return to the Premier League.

Under pressure to salvage lost pride and improve upon the performances which cost Johnson his job, the team responded in outstanding fashion, Lewin Nyatanga and Nicky Maynard firing them into a surprise 2-0 half-time lead. Although the Magpies fought back to level matters, courtesy of late goals from Jonas Gutierrez and Andy Carroll, Millen admitted he would have settled for a point prior to the game.

"If you had offered me that at the start of the day, I would have snapped your hand off," said the former Brentford and Watford defender.

"I'm proud of the lads and I'm proud of the fans. They created a great atmosphere and the players responded. I thought the lads showed a terrific spirit and they did it for themselves and for the club.

"They know they have been inconsistent and they know they have let people down at times. Unfortunately, it cost Gary his job. But they showed great commitment in this game."

Millen must now patch up his players and prepare them for tomorrow's home game against Barnsley. Left-back Jamie McAllister limped out of Saturday's game at half-time with a recurrence of a calf injury and Millen will be hoping Liam Fontaine is fit to return.

He said: "There are some very tired legs and the injuries have left us short in defence. I need to put out a side which can play with the same energy we showed in the fist half against Newcastle and that will mean making some changes. My job for the next day or two will be to assess which players are fittest."

Of McAllister's injury, he said: "We were short of defenders anyway, so it was a blow.

"To be two-nil up at half time was a dream start, but you know Newcastle are top of the league for a reason and they are a class side. We knew they were going to come at us."

Millen refused to blame goalkeeper Dean Gerken, whose mistake allowed Gutierrez to score and put Newcastle back into the game.

He said: "Dean apologised afterwards, but no one is blaming him. It was an honest mistake and he made some great saves to keep us in the game."