Dyche cautious over Aina return

Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has revealed that Super Eagles defender Ola Aina is still some way off full fitness despite making progress in his recovery from a hamstring injury, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.

The 29-year-old has been sidelined for three months after suffering the injury during Nigeria’s 1-1 draw against South Africa in November, forcing him to undergo surgery.

Aina returned to action for Forest’s Under-21s in their 2-1 win over Millwall last week, playing 53 minutes, but was omitted from Eric Chelle’s final 28-man AFCON squad.

“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,” Dyche said ahead of Monday’s clash against Fulham.

“He is still a bit of a way off with his true fitness. He has been out for a long time, and it takes even longer to reach that deep level of fitness, but he is making good progress forward.”

The former Chelsea defender will not be available for Nottingham Forest until next year as he continues his rehabilitation.

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