DistantNews
Support us
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Sports

EPL: Pereira hints at Ola Aina return ahead of Bournemouth showdown

From Premium Times · () English

Summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • Nottingham Forest defender Ola Aina has resumed training after an injury layoff.
  • Head coach Vitor Pereira confirmed Aina's return to the pitch ahead of the team's final Premier League match against Bournemouth.
  • Pereira stated that while Aina is training, the club will prioritize caution with injured players, even in a game they aim to win.

Super Eagles defender Ola Aina is nearing a return to action for Nottingham Forest after resuming training, according to head coach Vitor Pereira. Aina has been sidelined since April 30 due to an injury sustained during a UEFA Europa League semi-final match against Aston Villa, where he played only 75 minutes before limping off.

His absence was keenly felt by Forest, particularly in the return leg against Aston Villa, where the team suffered a heavy 4-0 defeat without one of their key defensive players. The injury occurred during a challenging season for Forest, marked by multiple managerial changes before Pereira stabilized the team and secured their Premier League status.

With survival in the top flight now confirmed, Forest approaches their final fixture against Bournemouth with reduced pressure. However, Pereira emphasized the team's desire to finish the season strongly. He confirmed Aina's return to pitch training but stopped short of guaranteeing his participation against Bournemouth. "Ola (Aina) started today on the pitch," Pereira said, as reported on Nottingham Forest's official website.

Murillo stays without training with the team. Ola (Aina) started today on the pitch.

· Vitor PereiraProviding an update on player training status ahead of the Bournemouth match.

Pereira also provided updates on other players, noting Murillo remains unavailable for training, while Dan Ndoye has participated in two team training sessions. The coach stressed the importance of caution with injured players, stating, "We are in a moment of the season where we can’t take risks because this is a game we want to win." Despite the desire for a win and three points, the club will not take unnecessary risks with player fitness.

Aina has been a standout performer for Forest this season, offering consistency, athleticism, and tactical versatility across both full-back positions. His contributions have been vital for both his club and the Nigerian national team.

We are in a moment of the season where we can’t take risks because this is a game we want to win.

· Vitor PereiraExplaining the club's cautious approach to player selection due to injuries.
About this summary

Originally published by Premium Times. Summarized and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.

More Stories

From Our Blog