The Nigerian duo of Taiwo Awoniyi and Ola Aina looks set to miss out of action with Nottingham Forest in Monday’s English Premier League clash away to Tottenham Hotspur, Sports247 gathered.
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This comes despite initial reports that Aina and Awoniyi were both hoping that the delayed fixture, which is the only EPL match that will not take place across this weekend, would give them ample opportunities to recover from recent injuries they are both nursing.
However, Nottingham’s coach, Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed that both players missed the team’s last training session, which ultimately ruled them out of the trip to London for Monday’s game.
Nuno disclosed, “They were not in the group for the training session because they are still carrying some problems, and we have to assess them. We still have to check them day-by-day.”
Nuno then admitted that his team will once again struggle without the presence of Aina and Awoniyi, who have both played key roles in Forest’s surprising surge to fourth place on the EPL log, then reasoned that he will have to find the right strategy to make up for their absences.
“The blow is with us, because we are not able to operate in the way we wish, and we can’t play the way we want to. The last time, we were not in the game, and that was a blow for us. However, with regards to the other teams, nothing has changed.
“So, it’s up to us. It’s in our hands, but we can not control them. We can not control the results, and we have to focus on our efforts. It’s about improvement, reacting and making the right move,” Nuno concluded.
Sports247 reports further that, in the absences of Aina and Awoniyi, Nottingham Forest will aim for am away win to keep them withing the EPL’s top four, as they may be a point behind Manchester City when they line out at Tottenham Stadium in London.
That is because Spurs are currently 15th with 37 points, while Nottingham are fourth on 57, but just two ahead of fifth placed Man City, who play away to Everton on Saturday.