Ryan Nyambe feels his game is in a good place, helped by the positive environment at Rovers, with team-mates, coaching staff and fans all playing a part in his development.

Nyambe has started 19 of Rovers’ last 22 Championship matches and has become an integral part of Tony Mowbray’s side at right back.

He has taken the place of captain Elliott Bennett who tweeted after the weekend win over Charlton: “Outstanding once again. The rise of this man from the shy guy I met 3.5 years ago is nothing short of astonishing. No better example of hard work and practise to get to the machine this man is today! Salute.”

 

 

The 22-year-old also credits a pep talk from fellow defender Derrick Williams with building his confidence before the Carabao Cup defeat at Sheffield United in August in which the Namibia international showed his credentials having lost his place in the first-choice side.

He said: “There was a game against Sheffield United in the cup when I played and just before the game started, about an hour before on the pitch, we were shaking hands and Derrick Williams said ‘show them, show what you’ve got’.

“I thought I might as well give all I could, be confident, and then that gives you the platform not to be afraid of anything.

“Being out of the team gives you a hunger to improve and show people what you can offer.

“It was hard, but you have to take it on the chin. That’s football and it can change in a second. You have to be prepared mentally.

“It’s happened before so I know how to deal with it, but it’s still upsetting. You have to put it to one side and each training session do things properly.”

Nyambe works closely with first-team coach David Lowe on his game after training, before spending time with technical coach Damien Johnson in the analysis booths.

“It’s a team game, as a person and player you improve by your surroundings, you become adaptable and as a person you grow,” he added.

“That’s down to my team-mates, the person I’ve become today and the coaches and of course of the fans.

“If you’re not getting pushed by the people around you then you’re not going to succeed, so I’m grateful to them.

“I’m taking baby steps, feeling really good, positive and every chance I get in training or matches I just try and be positive to keep me going.

“In training I work more than I should do, after training I try and stay out all the time, even when the weather is like this, and do the basics that help you improve with the coaches.

“It will come at the end of the day, I just have to keep going.”

Nyambe was brought back in to the side in November for the 1-0 win over Brentford at Ewood Park, entrusted by manager Tony Mowbray to keep Said Benrahma quiet.

The Algerian, who has nine goals this season, ran riot in last year’s meeting at Griffin Park, scoring in the Bees’ 5-2 win, and has developed a reputation as one of the division’s star man.

But for Nyambe, the challenge of coming up against a player rated in excess of £20m is something he will relish.

He added: “To be fair I enjoy playing against great players, I prefer to play against them because I like testing myself.

“I like it when I keep them quiet because people notice you and what you can do.

“The fact you can stop a great player is a great feeling.

“That’s my job, so you do what you have to do.”