Ange Postecoglou sends precious message to Aina following hamstring surgery

Nottingham Forest head coach Ange Postecoglou has revealed his return plan for Super Eagles defender, Ola Aina, Soccernet.ng reports.

The 28-year-old played 87 minutes against Rwanda at the Godswill Akpabio Stadium in the first of Nigeria’s two games during the September International break.

However, he had to be taken off inside ten minutes at the Free State Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein as the Super Eagles played a 1-1 draw against South Africa, as Nigeria’s World Cup hopes hit the rocks.

Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina 34 after the final whistle as Nottingham Forest lost 3-4 during the Premier League match between Newcastle United and Nottingham Forest [Photo credit/Imago].

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The former Chelsea man is expected to return to training in December, and thanked fans for their recovery messages after his surgery.

The former Tottenham Hotspur manager was hired immediately after Forest fired Nuno Espirito Santo, as the Portuguese earlier mentioned he fell out with the club owner, Evangelos Marinakis.

Aina’s injury came as a big blow for Ange as he missed his first game in charge against Arsenal. After the extent of the injury was confirmed, the former Australian manager mentioned he’s looking forward to working with the Super Eagles defender.

Morgan Gibbs-White celebrates with Ola Aina and Anthony Elanga following an own goal during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Brighton and Hove Albion at the City Ground. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

“I was looking forward to working with him. I watched him as an opponent last year and, particularly with the way I like my full-backs to play, he was a perfect fit for it,” the 60-year-old said in quotes revealed by BBC Sports UK.

“I know he was excited by the season ahead, back in European football. Sometimes when these things happen early in the year, I said to him that the best part of the season will be there for him, so he can make a massive impact when it is most needed.

“His surgery went really well – that’s the first thing checked. Now he’s got to work hard and rehab, which I’m sure he will, and he’ll stay close to the group,” Postecoglou concluded.

Ola Aina of celebrates victory during the Premier League match between Nottingham Forest and Tottenham Hotspur at the City Ground in Nottingham. [Photo Credit/ Imago].

Aina’s injury is a big headache for Eric Chelle, as he is now torn between the certainty of the full-back’s availability for the AFCON 2025 tournament.

Source: Soccernet