Nottingham Forest’s Ola Aina out for three months with injury | OneFootball

Nottingham Forest have been dealt an early setback under new manager Ange Postecoglou, with defender Ola Aina (28) ruled out for three months after sustaining a hamstring injury on international duty with Nigeria.

BBC Sport reports that the 28-year-old right-back limped off during Tuesday’s World Cup qualifying draw against South Africa, and subsequent scans confirmed the severity of the problem. Aina will be removed from Forest’s Premier League squad but could be re-registered after the winter transfer window once fit.

It is a significant blow for Postecoglou, who was only appointed earlier this week following the dismissal of Nuno Espirito Santo. Aina was one of the standout players in Forest’s campaign last season, which saw them finish seventh and reach the Semi-finals of the FA Cup. The Australian confirmed on Thursday that Aina was undergoing assessment, but now faces being without one of his most versatile defenders until the new year.

Forest are expected to restore striker Taiwo Awoniyi to their Premier League squad in Aina’s place, bolstering attacking options ahead of Saturday’s daunting trip to Arsenal, Postecoglou’s first match in charge.

GFN | Finn Entwistle