Blackburn Rovers' Alebiosu Faces Lengthy Injury Lay-Off

Blackburn Rovers walked away from a 2-1 win over West Ham United on Saturday, but the glow of that result has been dimmed by confirmation of a serious injury to Ryan Alebiosu.

Tony Mowbray revealed his first-choice right-back is set to miss “three to four months” after damaging his knee in last week’s defeat at Stoke City, an injury that forced him off before half-time.

Alebiosu has been a near ever-present in the Championship this season, starting 14 of Blackburn’s 15 league games. His absence rips a sizeable hole in a side built on high energy down the flanks.

“He had a scan on Wednesday and it’s not good news for us or for him,” Mowbray told BBC Radio Lancashire. The verdict points towards surgery and a long road back. “He looks like he’s going to have an operation. Three or four months, maybe a touch longer.”

For a player who has rapidly become a key outlet, the timing is brutal. Mowbray admitted the 22-year-old is struggling to process the setback. “He’s devastated. Apparently he wrote on his social medias,” the Blackburn boss said, underlining how hard the blow has hit the defender.

On the pitch, the loss is just as stark. Alebiosu’s ability to surge forward from deep has been a defining feature of Blackburn’s play this season. “It’s a tough break for the football team because he does bring us an amazing ability to cover ground and join the attack really fast,” Mowbray added.

Now comes the grind. No quick fixes, no shortcuts. “He’s going to have to be really disciplined and do the hard yards until he gets himself back in the new year,” said Mowbray.

Blackburn have found a way to win without him once. They may have to do it many more times before their driving force on the right returns.