Forest manager fears that Aina's hamstring injury might take longer than expected to heal

SUPER Eagles fullback Ola Aina might be out of action for longer than originally anticipated after Nottingham Forest's manager Sean Dyche revealed that his hamstring injury is long term in nature and the player will not be returning to action immediately.

On Tuesday September 16, Aina underwent surgery on his hamstring after he sustained an injury while on international duty with Nigeria on September 9. He picked up the injury during a World Cup qualifier against South Africa and was forced to limp off the pitch after just 10 minutes.

Immediately after the match, the defender returned to Nottingham where his club ordered surgery, predicting that he will be back within about three months. This means that for starters, Aina will miss Nigeria's forthcoming World Cup African play-offs taking place in Morocco between November 13 and 18.

Earlier this week, Mr Dyche described Aina’s injury as a longer-term situation, indicating that he may face an extended spell on the sidelines. Although he remained non-committal, Dyche remained cautious about providing a definitive timeline for the defender’s return.

Mr Dyche said: “Ola has got a longer-term situation, which I think is already out there. We’ll find out more news on that and see how he is.

“We’re wondering whether it’s going to settle down, it’s probably touch and go at the moment because it does need to settle. He’s been off the grass, so we’ll have to see how that one is.”

Given that Aina is certain to miss the November play-offs Super Eagles head coach Eric Chelle will have to look for a replacement. His problems are compounded by the fact, however, that Werder Bremen fullback Felix Agu is also out injured, having undergone surgery for a syndesmosis ligament injury earlier this month, which will rule him out until at least the end of the year.

There have been indications that Brentford's Michael Kayode might be a replacement but that will be over the long term, as he has to undergo a switch with Fifa, having played for Italy at youth level. Kayode has played for Italy's U19 and U21 teams, so will need to apply make an official switchover to Nigeria at senior level.