Nottingham Forest manager Sean Dyche has confirmed that Super Eagles duo Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina will play no part in Saturday’s Premier League showdown against champions Liverpool, as both continue their respective recoveries from injury.
Forest head into the fixture at Anfield buoyed by their hard-fought win over Leeds before the international break—a result that marked only their second league victory of the campaign. However, Dyche admitted that his relegation-battling squad, currently placed 19th, is still navigating significant injury setbacks.
Dyche revealed that Awoniyi has been sidelined by what he described as a “grumbling knee”, an issue that, while not major, has limited the striker to gym work rather than full training. The Nigerian forward, who has made just four league appearances this season, is expected to undergo a follow-up scan as the club monitors his progress.
“He’s improved, but he’s not ready yet,” Dyche said, noting optimism that the striker is nearing the final stages of his recovery.
Also missing is fellow Nigerian international Ola Aina, who has been out since September with a hamstring injury. Dyche confirmed the defender is still not close to team training and remains under medical supervision.
There was, however, a glimmer of positive news for Forest, with Callum Hudson-Odoi edging closer to a return after resuming light training on grass. Oleksandr Zinchenko and young goalkeeper Aaron Bott remain unavailable.
Liverpool will also be without first-choice goalkeeper Alisson Becker, while Jeremie Frimpong and Alexander Isak are doubts for the champions.
As Forest prepare for one of the toughest away fixtures of the season, Dyche’s depleted squad will face a stern test—made even more challenging by the absence of two of their key Nigerian stars.
