Super Eagles defender Ryan Alebiosu has taken encouragement from Blackburn Rovers' 3-0 preseason friendly defeat to Nottingham Forest, pointing to improved fitness and valuable minutes on the pitch as the key gains from the outing.

Speaking to Rovers TV, Alebiosu said the chance to shake off rustiness after a lengthy break was the most important outcome of the match, particularly given that some players had also been dealing with illness during the pre-season period.

"It felt good to get 60 minutes in my legs and to get the rust out. It was a good run-around to keep the fitness up and it was a good 60 minutes for the boys, which will stand us in good stead for the season to come," Alebiosu said.

Learning from Premier League quality

The Nigerian international highlighted the educational value of coming up against a Nottingham Forest side that competed in European football last season. He singled out midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White as an example of the level Blackburn must aspire to reach.

"Playing against the likes of Morgan Gibbs-White, these kind of players, it's something to learn from, seeing the way they play. It's motivational for a lot of us to be honest," he added.

Alebiosu acknowledged that Forest's pedigree made the contest a demanding one, but insisted the result did not reflect the effort his side put in, particularly during a competitive first half in which Blackburn created chances of their own.

"As a group, playing against these boys, even in the first 45 when we created chances, it motivated everyone to think, 'You know what, maybe we can play at this level, maybe we can do things this season,'" he said.

The defender expressed confidence that the rigorous workout — conducted in warm conditions — would pay dividends when the competitive campaign begins, with the squad now better equipped in terms of sharpness and collective belief.