Ola Aina

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina (28) was forced off just ten minutes into Nigeria’s World Cup qualifying match against South Africa, sparking immediate concerns about his availability ahead of manager Ange Postecoglou’s debut game up against Arsenal.

Aina's early departure came after a challenge from South Africa’s Samukele Kabini, forcing him to leave the field clutching the back of his leg—suggesting a suspected hamstring injury. (Source: John Bennet, BBC)

Forest have not confirmed how long Aina will be sidelined, and with the injury described as “suspected” rather than confirmed, his status remains unresolved as the club prepares for a potentially pivotal match in their campaign (Source: The Standard)

Update Thursday 11 September 2025

🎙️| Ange Postecoglou “Basically, I think we’ve got a clean bill of health except for Aina, who’s just come back. He had an issue with the national team, we’ve sent him for some scans and we’ll get some information this afternoon.” (Source: Nottingham Forest)

Update Tuesday 16 September 2025

Ola Aina undergoes successful hamstring surgery after injury against South Africa, he is expected to be back in December according to reports. (Source: Leagues Reporter)

Update Thursday 30 October 2025

🎙️|Sean Dyche: "Ola [Aina] is making good progress. (Source: BBC)

Update Thursday 20 November 2025

🎙️|Sean Dyche: "Dilane Bakwa's making good progress, he's on the grass but not with us, he's just with the medical side and the sports science side. Ola Aina is very similar.¨ (Source: Vavel.com).

Update Thursday 4 December 2025

🎙️|Sean Dyche: "Ola Aina... still a bit of time yet.¨ (Source: BBC)

Update Thursday 18 December 2025

🎙️|Sean Dyche: “Ola is halfway through his progress in fitness. He is training more regularly with the team now, which is good, but it has been a long-term injury so we have had to be careful with that one.

“He is still a bit of a way off with his true fitness. He has been out a long time and it takes even longer to get to that deep fitness, but he is making good steps forward. (Source: Nottingham Post).