Ola Aina’s injury absence a blow to Nottingham Forest, says Nuno Espirito Santo

By Dayo Awoniyi

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has expressed concern over the extended injury absence of Nigerian defender Ola Aina, describing it as a major setback to the club’s defensive stability.

Aina has been out of action since sustaining an injury during Forest’s Premier League clash against Manchester United in April.

Since then, Forest have struggled to maintain consistency in their back line—a situation Nuno says has disrupted the team’s defensive rhythm.

“We’ve really missed Ola, particularly because of the stability he brought to the back four and our defensive routines,” Nuno told reporters during a press conference.

“I can’t even recall how many times we’ve had the same players in defence—consistency is vital.”

The Portuguese manager confirmed that the club will continue to monitor Aina’s recovery, though no specific timeline has been provided for his return.

“We’ll assess his progress and see how soon he can return to the squad,” he added.

Aina, who joined Forest in the summer of 2023, has become an integral part of the team’s defensive setup.

His absence has been felt not only on the pitch but also in the overall cohesion of the squad. Both the manager and supporters are eagerly awaiting his comeback as the season nears its climax.