Nottingham Forest Suffer Blow as Ola Aina Faces Three-Month Injury Layoff

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has been ruled out for up to three months with a hamstring injury sustained on international duty with Nigeria, TalkTalk Nigeria reports.

The 27-year-old limped off just 10 minutes into Nigeria’s 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against South Africa on Tuesday and was immediately replaced.

According to The Telegraph, Aina—who has been a consistent presence in Forest’s backline—is not expected to return until the end of the year.

The setback comes as a major blow for newly appointed Forest manager, Ange Postecoglou, who is preparing for his first match in charge, a daunting away trip to Arsenal in the Premier League on Saturday.

Opinion: Forest’s Early Test of Depth and Resilience

For Nottingham Forest, Aina’s absence couldn’t have come at a worse time. A new manager, a tough fixture list, and now the loss of one of their most versatile defenders—it’s a recipe that could either derail momentum early or inspire the squad to step up.

Aina’s ability to play both flanks and adapt to different tactical setups has been crucial for Forest. Beyond his defensive contributions, his calmness on the ball and ability to transition play often gave the team balance. Without him, Postecoglou may be forced to shuffle his system sooner than expected, testing both his adaptability and the squad’s depth.

From a Nigerian perspective, the injury is also a worry, as Aina has been a dependable figure for the Super Eagles. His absence highlights the physical demands on modern footballers who juggle both club and international duties.

In the end, this may serve as a reminder to Forest fans: success is rarely a straight path. The true measure of Postecoglou’s leadership will be how well he navigates such setbacks. If the team can rally without Aina, his return later in the season could feel less like a rescue and more like a reinforcement of a side that has already proven its resilience.