Nottingham Forest manager, Sean Dyche, has offered an encouraging update on the recovery of Nigerian defender, Ola Aina, who has been sidelined for ten matches due to a hamstring injury sustained on international duty.
The injury, which Aina picked up during the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw against South Africa in a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier in September, has been a significant blow to both his club and the national team.
Addressing the press ahead of Forest’s Premier League clash with Manchester United, Dyche confirmed that the versatile full-back is on a positive path, though he remains unavailable for selection.
“We have a couple of knocks. Ola is making good progress,” the Forest manager stated during his pre-match conference.
His update, however, came with a less positive note on another player: “And Zinchenko is a no at the moment. Unfortunately, it took longer than we thought.”
Analysis: Aina’s Absence Felt at Club and Country
The setback has seen Aina miss a critical run of ten games across all competitions—six in the Premier League, one in the Carabao Cup, and three in the UEFA Europa League. His prolonged absence has coincided with a difficult period for Nottingham Forest, who are currently struggling for consistency and find themselves in the league’s relegation zone.
Aina’s dynamism and defensive solidity have been notably missed, leaving a void in Forest’s backline that has proven difficult to fill. Dyche will be hoping for a swift return of the defender to help bolster his team’s defensive stability as they battle to climb away from the bottom of the table.
Beyond the immediate concerns at the club level, Aina’s fitness is also being closely monitored on the international scene. Super Eagles coach, Eric Chelle, will be keen to have the key defender available for the upcoming Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
Aina’s situation underscores the recurring challenge for Nigerian internationals, where injuries picked up on national team duty can have prolonged repercussions on their club careers, while also potentially depriving the national team of a crucial asset for major competitions.
For now, all parties will be hoping that the “good progress” Dyche mentioned translates into a full and speedy return to the pitch for the influential defender.
