Nottingham Forest Suffer ‘Serious’ Blow With ‘Key Player’ Out for Three Months In ‘Best-Case Scenario’

Ange Postecoglou has only been at Nottingham Forest for a few days, but he has already been dealt an early setback with a key injury. The Australian manager had many players in the medical room in his time at Tottenham Hotspur, leading to some critics suggesting it was linked to his playstyle. Ola Aina is now injured, and whilst this happened on international duty, it will be a problem for Postecoglou.

Nottingham Forest Suffer Key Injury Blow On International Duty

Early December Return is Best-Case Scenario for Ola Aina

John Percy, of The Telegraph, has revealed that Aina has suffered a “serious” injury whilst on international duty for Nigeria. The left-back was substituted in the 10th minute of their World Cup Qualifier match against South Africa. Described as a “key player” under Nuno Espirito Santo last season, this will be a big loss for new manager Postecoglou.

The injury is to Aina’s hamstring. He has suffered one hamstring injury before, in 2022/23. Whilst the 28-year-old has suffered minor injuries in recent seasons, he has not had one this big before, nor would he be described as injury-prone. Scans have reportedly revealed that in the “best-case scenario”, Aina would return in early December, meaning he will be out for three months minimum.

He has been left out of the Premier League squad, submitted Thursday, and replaced by Taiwo Awoniyi (who was not named in the Europa League squad), according to The Telegraph. Meanwhile, Forest have a lack of options at left-back for their lunchtime kick-off vs Arsenal on Saturday, September 13. Aina is out, and Oleksandr Zinchenko is ineligible to play against his parent club. New signing Nicola Savona may make his debut, or Neco Williams could play out of position.