Super Eagles defender Ola Aina is set for a long time on the sidelines after suffering a calf injury against Manchester United on Tuesday.
The Nottingham Forest star hobbled off injured just before half time in the 1-0 win over Manchester United at the City Ground.
Aina has played a vital role in Nottingham Forest’s rise to the third position in the Premier League with impressive performances.
Ahead of their Premier League clash against Aston Villa on Saturday, Nuno Espirito-Santo has confirmed that the club is set to be without Aina for a long time.
He said: “It is always difficult when it is a calf injury, we have to give him time. We do not have an exact time schedule, it is all about his ability to recover.
“Some players take more time, others less. We will assess him. He will definitely be out for Villa and for Everton he will be a doubt. Beyond that we will assess him. I am positive that we will see him again (before the end of the season).
“He has had the scan and he is going to be out for a while. It is a big blow. We will miss his quality, his talent and the routines we already have with his teammates. We are going to miss him.”
Aina has featured in all Nottingham Forest’s 30 Premier League matches this season, scoring two goals and recording one assist coupled with numerous stunning performances, which has drawn praise from the supporters.
Nottingham Forest have punched above their weight in the Premier League this season, sitting in the third position on the log while also booking a place in the semi-final of the FA Cup for the first time since 1996.
Aina featured in Nigeria’s World Cup qualifiers against Rwanda, and Zimbabwe in the last international break in March.
