The Nigerian striker's absence will be a major blow for Forest’s final two fixtures of the Premier League campaign.
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has undergone emergency abdominal surgery after suffering a serious injury during Sunday’s dramatic 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the City Ground. The Nigeria international was hurt late on in the match after colliding heavily with the goalpost during a Forest counterattack.
Despite being clearly in discomfort, Awoniyi returned to the pitch and continued to play for the remainder of the game, as Forest pushed for a late winner. Awoniyi’s injury occurred in a move which was later on flagged for offside, with match officials allowing play to continue under standard VAR protocol.
On Monday evening, following further medical assessments, Awoniyi was rushed to hospital for urgent surgery. Forest medical staff discovered complications from the impact of the clash, leading to immediate intervention. It was later revealed that the injury was not life-threatening, but it was significantly more severe than initially suspected.
The striker’s condition has added to the post-match drama which took place after Forest let slip a crucial victory from their hands. Club owner Evangelos Marinakis was visibly furious at full time, confronting manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch. In front of players, staff, and cameras, the Forest owner delivered an angry outburst in front of his manager. The incident drew widespread criticism online from pundits, with former Manchester United defender Gary Neville calling Marinakis’ behaviour “scandalous.”
Nuno has since clarified that a miscommunication between the coaching and medical departments led to the decision to keep Awoniyi on the field. Awoniyi, who has made scored two times in 32 appearances across all competitions this season now faces a recovery period. The club is expected to provide an official update later this week. The Nigerian striker’s absence will be a major blow for Forest’s final two fixtures of the Premier League campaign.
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