Blackburn Rovers defender Ryan Alebiosu was substituted at half-time against Millwall, but manager Tony Mowbray says the Nigeria international is suffering from illness rather than a new injury, according to Lancashire Telegraph.
The 23-year-old right-back was replaced by deadline-day signing Gady Beyuku after an impressive first half in Blackburn’s Championship victory at Ewood Park on Saturday.
Mowbray said Alebiosu had been struggling with a possible case of tonsillitis in the days leading up to the match.
“Ryan is more illness than injury,” Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire. “It could be tonsillitis.”
Alebiosu has established himself as one of Mowbray’s preferred options at right-back this season and the manager’s latest update should ease concerns over his availability for Nigeria.
The defender is expected to be considered for the Super Eagles’ upcoming 2027 Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers against Madagascar and Guinea-Bissau.
Nigeria host Madagascar in Uyo on 25 September before travelling to Guinea-Bissau four days later.
However, Alebiosu is part of an increasingly lengthy injury list for Eric Chelle, with Victor Osimhen, Fisayo Dele-Bashiru, Umar Sadiq, Zaidu Sanusi, Zadok Yohanna and Tochukwu Nnadi among those facing fitness concerns.
Alebiosu has yet to be ruled out and will now focus on recovering from the illness before linking up with the Super Eagles.
