Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has confirmed that Nigeria internationals Ola Aina and Taiwo Awoniyi will be unavailable for selection for the Premier League match against Tolu Arokodare’s Wolverhampton Wanderers at the Molineux Stadium.

Aina is still recovering from a hamstring injury sustained during the opening minutes of Nigeria's 2026 World Cup qualifier against South Africa in September. 

The fullback has been absent for the last sixteen matches in all competitions and is not expected to return to action until January.

The Chelsea academy graduate is also ineligible to play for Forest until the transfer window reopens as he was not registered for the Premier League and Europa League following his injury.

Meanwhile, Awoniyi will miss a third consecutive league match due to a muscular injury, compounding Dyche's selection challenges ahead of the Wolves encounter.

Providing a squad update, Dyche told reporters: "It’s better news. Not everyone’s quite fit yet but a few are back on the grass training which is a good start.

"The ones left not with us yet are Taiwo, Wood and Douglas, although getting closer."

Dyche also revealed that Ola Aina is making progress but will not be available for selection until the new year.

"Ola Aina is getting close to fitness, but obviously can’t be with us until January,” he stated.

Aina's three-month absence leaves Nigeria coach Eric Chelle with a major decision to make over the defender's potential involvement at the 2025 Africa Cup of Nations.

Ifeanyi Emmanuel