Nigeria international Ola Aina is in line to make an injury return against Luton Town in the Premier League this weekend.

The 27-year-old has not featured for Nottingham Forest since December 30, when he starred in the club’s important 2-1 home victory over Manchester United.

Aina spent the next month with Nigeria at the Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON 2024) in Ivory Coast, where the Super Eagles secured a runners-up medal after losing to the hosts in the final.

The former Chelsea full-back was one of the outstanding performers in Ivory Coast and was rewarded with a place in the team of the tournament for his exploits.

Ola Aina in line for possible return against Luton Town

Aina played all seven games and made himself undroppable in Jose Peseiro’s 3-4-3 formation, operating as an attacking right-wing-back.

Despite his gallant performances, it later emerged that he played the AFCON final while nursing an injury. Aina is said to have suffered a muscle injury during Nigeria’s penalty shootout victory over South Africa in the semi-final of the tournament but still played the full 90 minutes.

He continued to play through the pain, completing another 90 minutes in the final against hosts Ivory Coast, as the Super Eagles suffered a disappointing 2-1 loss despite scoring first.

“Ola got injured in the semi-final and played the final with an injury. He tried but didn't really play in the final,” Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed after the AFCON.

The extent of the full-back’s injury was assessed when he returned to Nottingham Forest, with the diagnoses showing it was more serious than first thought. He was subsequently ruled out for a few weeks, but Aina has since returned to training and is now set for a possible return against Luton Town on Saturday, March 16.

Ola Aina’s injury relapse and return to training

Ola Aina was initially expected to make a return for the Premier League clash against Liverpool – a game which Forest lost 1-0 – but he was not involved at all.

The Nigeria international once again did not make the bench when Espirito Santo’s side faced Brighton & Hove Albion last week, with the Portuguese manager confirming that he had relapsed after suffering “more problems”.

After spending the last month on the sidelines, Aina is expected to be eased back into the first team and is likely to be on the bench against Luton Town on Saturday.

The full-back has been involved in 14 matches for Forest this season while scoring once, and will be key for the club as they aim to survive relegation with just 10 matches left in the Premier League.

Aina not part of Super Eagles squad for Ghana, Mali friendlies

Meanwhile, Ola Aina’s possible return from injury will have no effect on the squad named by Nigeria for the March international break.

The Super Eagles have lined up two international friendlies this month, with a clash against rivals Ghana scheduled for March 22, while they’ll also face Mali four days later.

Aina has been left out of the 27-man squad, while Jamilu Collins, Gabriel Osho, Benjamin Tianimu and Tyronne Ebuehi are among the new faces selected as part of the defenders.

In midfield, Alex Iwobi, Frank Onyeka, Alhassan Yusuf and Raphael Onyedika have also maintained their places after the AFCON, but Leicester City’s Wilfred Ndidi is back in the fold.

Nathan Tella and Fisayo Dele-Bashiru have also been invited for the games against Ghana and Mali, with Samuel Chukwueze missing out following his unconvincing performances for both club and country in recent months.

Victor Osimhen also leads the Super Eagles’ attacking options, with Kelechi Iheanacho, Taiwo Awoniyi, Sadiq Umar and Cyriel Dessers also included.