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Nottingham Forest manager Vitor Pereira. Copyright: ImagoxNewsxImages<\/p>\n<\/div>\n
Nottingham Forest head coach Vitor Pereira has provided an encouraging update on the fitness of Super Eagles defender Ola Aina ahead of Monday\u2019s Premier League clash against Chelsea,\u00a0Soccernet.ng<\/u><\/a>\u00a0reports.<\/strong><\/p>\n The Nigerian defender was forced off with an injury concern<\/u><\/a>\u00a0during Thursday night\u2019s 1-0 win over Aston Villa in the UEFA Europa League semifinal first leg encounter.<\/p>\n Aina started the match and was\u00a0very effective\u00a0on the right side of Forest\u2019s defence, although his side were dealt a big blow when he had to come off in the 75th minute. The right-back had been on the end of a rash challenge from Aston Villa defender Lucas Digne and could not continue further, before he was eventually replaced by\u00a0Zack Abbott.<\/p>\n The 29-year-old has made 28 appearances across all competitions for Nottingham Forest this season and has been a key figure in the squad since returning from a hamstring injury that sidelined him earlier in the campaign.<\/p>\n Nottingham Forest face Chelsea in a crucial Premier League fixture on Monday night as they continue their push to secure survival\u00a0ahead of next season.<\/p>\n The Tricky Trees sit\u00a0five points above the relegation zone,\u00a0but\u00a0still need to pick up points from their remaining four matches to guarantee safety. At the same time, they must also keep one eye on Thursday\u2019s Europa League semifinal second leg clash.<\/p>\n Aina\u2019s injury initially raised serious concern for\u00a0Vitor Pereira, especially given the number of players already sidelined and the defender\u2019s importance to the team during this decisive stage of the season.<\/p>\n However, speaking during his pre-match press conference ahead of the Chelsea fixture, Vitor Pereira\u00a0revealed\u00a0that Aina could recover in time to feature\u00a0in that encounter and\u00a0even\u00a0shared a playful interaction with the Nigerian defender.<\/p>\n \u201cI said to him, I\u2019m sorry but it\u2019s impossible for you to be injured! He said he will be in the right condition, and I hope he will,\u201d\u00a0Pereira said, via NFFC\u2019s official website.<\/u><\/a><\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<\/blockquote>\n Nottingham Forest will be relieved that Aina\u2019s injury does not appear to be serious, with the defender potentially set to return within\u00a0the coming days.<\/p>\n If he is not\u00a0passed\u00a0fit in time for the clash against Chelsea,\u00a0the Super Eagles defender could then make his\u00a0return for next Thursday\u2019s Europa League second leg encounter at Villa Park.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/wX34vYfc1gaQVbAMaamHBrUysRo=\/4200x2800\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F02%2Fimago1062472511.jpg\")
Soccer Vitor Pereira provides update on Ola Aina ahead of Chelsea clash<\/h2>\n
![\"Soccer](\"https:\/\/soccernet.ng\/thumbor\/UYzDp_2AKoFHYjE-zDloDExJi1E=\/1024x682\/smart\/https%3A%2F%2Fmedia.soccernet.ng%2Fmain%2F2026%2F01%2Fimago1043250241.jpg\")
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