Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu escaped a major injury scare after Blackburn Rovers manager Tony Mowbray revealed the reason behind his half-time substitution against Millwall, Trybal News reports.
Alebiosu started Saturday’s Championship clash at Ewood Park and delivered another assured performance at right-back before being replaced by deadline-day signing Gady Beyuku at the interval.
The early withdrawal initially raised concerns over the defender’s fitness, particularly with Nigeria’s 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau approaching.
However, Mowbray confirmed after Blackburn’s victory that Alebiosu was suffering from illness rather than a new injury.
“Ryan is more illness than injury,” Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire.
The Blackburn boss explained that the Nigerian had complained of discomfort earlier in the week and had been limited to recovery work during training. He also suggested that Alebiosu could be dealing with tonsillitis.
The update will come as a relief to Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle, who is already dealing with a growing list of fitness concerns ahead of the September international window.
Victor Osimhen, Tochukwu Nnadi, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Umar Sadiq, Zaidu Sanusi and Brighton youngster Zadok Yohanna are among the Nigerian players currently facing fitness issues.
Alebiosu has emerged as one of Mowbray’s trusted options at right-back and will be hoping to recover fully before Nigeria’s opening qualifier against Madagascar in Uyo on September 25.
The Super Eagles will then travel to face Guinea-Bissau four days later.
While Alebiosu’s condition will continue to be monitored, the latest update suggests that his early departure against Millwall was precautionary rather than the result of a significant injury.
