Nottingham Forest have a major issue to deal with as Ola Aina is sidelined with a hamstring injury, but one new UEFA rule could be of use.
Ange Postecoglou said that Aina needed scans after being forced off during Nigeria’s clash with South Africa during the international break, with the results of those scans providing devastating news.
The news broke on Friday morning that Aina would miss at least three months due to the setback, leading to Forest removing him from their Premier League squad until they can be edited once again in January.
This has raised the issue of what the Reds can do about the Europa League squad that has also already been submitted. Thankfully, though, a new UEFA amendment has provided clarity.
Whether Nottingham Forest can alter their Europa League squad after Ola Aina injury
In terms of Saturday’s trip to face Arsenal, the most logical solution would be handing Nicolo Savona his Forest debut, but this is a situation that will have to be managed for a significant section of the 25/26 campaign.
Thankfully, then, UEFA have made an amendment to their squad registration rules, allowing the Reds to find a solution to the Aina injury problem.
The amendment read: “The Executive Committee approved an amendment to the 2025/26 UEFA men’s club competitions’ regulations to admit the temporary replacement of a maximum of one outfield player with long-term injury or illness during the league phase until matchday 6 included.
“The reasoning for the adaptation is to ensure that squad lists are not unfairly reduced and players are safeguarded from additional workload pressure.”
Forest will be able to replace Aina in the squad for the league phase, then, with one obvious candidate in the squad waiting in the wings.
Oleksandr Zinchenko can be added to the Europa League squad
The squad announcement for the league phase wasn’t without controversy, with reports ahead of the confirmation revealing that Omari Hutchinson would be left out of the squad coming as a surprise.
For the supporters, though, Oleksandr Zinchenko’s omission from the Europa League squad was even more shocking, but Aina’s injury should see the Ukrainian replace him.
The left-back has made almost 50 appearances in UEFA competition in his time at Arsenal and Manchester City so he will provide useful experience to Postecoglou.
Should Savona need a rest after deputising in the league, then, at least the Reds will have the option of moving Neco Williams to the right and slotting Zinchenko into the defence.
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