NOTTINGHAM FOREST striker Taiwo Awonyi has been placed in an induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery.
The 27-year-old went under the knife after sustaining a potentially FATAL abdominal injury in Forest’s clash with Leicester last Saturday.
GETTYNottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in an induced coma[/caption]
ALAMYThe Nigeria international suffered a nasty abdominal injury in Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City last weekend[/caption]
ALAMYHe underwent urgent surgery on the potentially fatal injury on Monday[/caption]
Awoniyi suffered the injury after crashing into the post in the 2-2 draw at the City Ground and received immediate medical treatment before playing on.
But he’d eventually be forced to leave the pitch, with further assessment discovering he’d need to have urgent surgery.
The Nigeria international was rushed to the hospital on Monday and initial signs indicated the surgery had been a success.
Doctors had hoped to complete the complex procedure today but were unable to, leading Awoniyi to be placed in an induced coma.
Forest issued a statement shortly after Awoniyi went under the knife but have yet to issue one on his current condition, although he’s understood to be “recovering well” from the ordeal.
It read: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City.
“The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first.”
The statement also addressed owner Evangelos Marinakis’ angry reaction towards manager Nuno Espirito Santo at the end of the game, which they claim was due to his frustration over the handling of Awoniyi’s injury.
It continued: “At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy for us; it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner.
“To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a football club — it’s family – and he instils that message in all of us.
“That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday.
“His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own.
“He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but as something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.
“In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.
“In the final ten minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines.
“His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain – something no one with genuine care could ignore – triggered him to go onto the pitch.”
Awoniyi has made 32 appearances for Forest in all competitions this season, scoring two goals for the East Midlands club.
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