Nuno Espirito Santos confirms Ola Aina injury blow for Nottingham Forest

By Wale Mustapha

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that Nigerian defender Ola Aina will be sidelined for an extended period due to a calf injury.

Aina, who has been a key figure for Forest this season, was stretchered off during Tuesday’s 2-0 defeat to Manchester United at the City Ground after sustaining the injury.

The Super Eagles right-back was replaced by Alex Moreno before halftime and later left the stadium on crutches.

Santos provided an update on Thursday ahead of Forest’s upcoming Premier League clash against Aston Villa, revealing that Aina has already undergone a scan.

While the exact timeline for his recovery is still unclear, the manager acknowledged that the injury would be a significant setback for the club.

“He has already had the scan, and unfortunately, he will be out for a while. He won’t be available,” said Santos.

“It’s a big blow, of course. We will miss his quality, his talent, and the understanding he has with his teammates. It’s definitely a problem for us.”

Aina’s absence is expected to create a void in the right-back position, with Forest now facing a challenge in replacing his experience and defensive solidity.