I am a big fan — Forest boss Ange refuses to blame Eric Chelle for Ola Aina injury

Nottingham Forest suffered a blow after star full-back Ola Aina picked up a hamstring injury while playing for Nigeria, and was subsequently ruled out for up to three months.

After Aina returned to England, a surgery was quickly lined up, and his chances of playing football again in 2025 are incredibly slim, a huge blow to Forest, who have a packed schedule due to their involvement in the Europa League.

Despite the big loss, Forest head coach, Ange Postecoglou, said he has no issues with players representing their countries.

He believes international games help players grow and develop.

“I am a big fan of continental competition, representative football, international football. I know again the congested calendar,” Postecoglou told reporters.

“As clubs we often pay a price. We obviously lost Ola Aina from international duty, but the benefits of players playing in those kinds of competitions are great.

"Playing in Europe and testing themselves in different kinds of environments and against different types of players, it does allow them to grow in ways where if they were just playing a domestic competition.”

Forest begin their Europa League action with a trip to Spain to face last season's UEFA Conference League finalists Real Betis.