Ola Aina could make Nottingham Forest return against Aston Villa - Dyche
The full-back was a key figure in last season’s seventh-placed finish, and can be added to the squad now that the transfer window is open.
Ola Aina could make his Nottingham Forest return against Aston Villa this weekend
Sean Dyche, the Forest head coach, says the defender – who was not included in the club’s Premier League squad in the first half of the campaign after suffering a serious hamstring injury on international duty with Nigeria – is back in contention for the trip to Villa Park on Saturday.
The full-back was a key figure in last season’s seventh-placed finish, and can be added to the squad now that the January transfer window is open. Forest will not have to officially register a 25-man squad again until it closes again at the end of the month.
Aina has played in two under-21 games in recent weeks and is fit enough to be involved, if called upon.
“Ola comes back into the group, which is good,” said Dyche in his pre-match press conference on New Year’s Day.
“I am learning about him, I know he is a good character. I managed teams that have played against him so I know about the pace and power he has got. We are looking forward to getting him back involved. He is in contention to come back into the group.
“He has put a lot of miles on the clock (on the training ground), not so many game hours because of the situation. But his injury is fine, he feels fine, he is back in the group.”
Forest have utilised Nicolo Savona, a summer signing from Juventus, at right back for much of the campaign, with Neco Williams operating at left back. Against Everton last time out, Olesandr Zinchenko came into the side at left-back, with Williams moving to the right side.
Having Aina back will be a major boost for Dyche, with he and Williams both capable of operating on either side of the pitch. Aina started 35 Premier League games last season but was injured after only three appearances under Nuno Espirito Santo at the start of the current campaign.
Dyche also provided an update on winger Dan Ndoye, who has been missing since the 3-0 win over Tottenham Hotspur on December 14.
“Dan has a minor calf injury. It will be touch and go for him this weekend but hopefully he will return after that,” he said.