Sean Dyche Provides Injury Update On Ola Aina As Forest Play It Safe

Nottingham Forest head coach Sean Dyche has provided a fresh update on the fitness of Super Eagles defender Ola Aina, reassuring fans that the club is taking a cautious and deliberate approach to his recovery.

Aina has been sidelined since early September after suffering a serious hamstring injury while on international duty for Nigeria during a 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa. The defender was forced off just ten minutes into the encounter and subsequently underwent surgery, an unfortunate setback that ruled him out of AFCON 2025 in Morocco.

Ola Aina’s Injury And Forest’s Defensive Adjustment

Before the injury, Aina had made only three Premier League appearances for Nottingham Forest this season. His absence was immediately felt, disrupting Forest’s defensive balance and forcing Dyche into a reshuffle at right-back.

The Tricky Trees have relied on Nicolò Savona and Neco Williams to plug the gap, but Aina’s athleticism, defensive intelligence, and ability to push forward have been difficult to replace. His importance to both club and country remains undeniable—reflected in his ranking as 3rd in this year’s PulseSports30.

What Sean Dyche Said

Speaking on Aina’s recovery, Sean Dyche remained measured and consistent in his assessment, stressing that patience is key due to the nature of hamstring injuries—especially post-surgery.

“He’s halfway through his recovery. He’s training more regularly with the team, but we’re being careful with him because of the nature of his injury.”

Dyche confirmed that Aina has already featured for Forest’s U21 side as part of his rehabilitation process, a controlled step aimed at rebuilding match sharpness without risking a setback. The club expects the Nigerian defender to return to full contention sometime in January, provided there are no complications.

Why Forest Are Taking No Chances

Hamstring injuries are notoriously tricky, with a high risk of recurrence if rushed. Forest’s decision to ease Aina back gradually reflects both modern sports science and the club’s long-term view—protecting a key asset rather than gambling on a premature return.

For fans, it may require patience, but the hope is that when Aina does return, he does so stronger, sharper, and fully fit.

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