Sean Dyche on Nottingham Forest’s AFCON picture after Ola Aina omission | OneFootball

Sean Dyche says Nottingham Forest made Ola Aina’s injury status clear to Nigeria, with the full-back omitted from the Super Eagles’ Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Nottingham Post reports Forest wrote to the Nigeria Football Federation, confirming he would not be available while returning from a serious hamstring injury.

Aina has been out since September and is still some way from full fitness. He cannot feature for Forest until January at the earliest after omission from their Premier League and Europa League squads. Nigeria made several enquiries about calling him up, and the tournament runs from December 21 to January 18.

"It's just that he's not fit," said head coach Sean Dyche. "He hasn't been fit, he's still not fit." He said Aina has not played any football yet.

Midfielder Ibrahim Sangare will be at AFCON and, along with defender Willy Boly, has been named in the squad for defending champions Ivory Coast. Sunday’s clash with Tottenham Hotspur, two pm kick-off, will be their final involvement for the Reds before they link up.

The 28-year-old has been in fine form since Dyche’s October appointment and is a regular starter. With Ryan Yates set for a spell out with a hamstring problem, Forest’s midfield options will be hit.

Dyche said they will see how the team copes without Sangare, praising his Sturm Graz display and noting injuries, AFCON absences and the schedule are ongoing challenges.

Source: Nottingham Post