Importance Score: 45 / 100 🔵
Nottingham Forest Striker Taiwo Awoniyi Undergoes Emergency Surgery After Injury
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi required emergency surgery following an abdominal injury sustained during the 2-2 draw against Leicester City. The 27-year-old Awoniyi’s injury occurred after a collision, leading to immediate medical attention and subsequent hospitalization for the procedure.
Awoniyi’s Collision and Initial Assessment
- Awoniyi, aged 27, attempted to continue playing after the on-field incident but ultimately needed immediate intervention.
- The injury sparked concerns and discussions between manager Nuno Espirito Santo and club owner Evangelos Marinakis.
Taiwo Awoniyi collided with the goalpost in the match’s closing moments at the City Ground on Sunday. Despite receiving several minutes of treatment, he initially attempted to play on.
However, a thorough examination by the club’s medical personnel on Monday revealed the full extent of the injury. Subsequently, the Nigerian international was admitted to the hospital for the urgent operation.
Details of the Incident
Awoniyi was attempting to meet Anthony Elanga’s cross when he slid into the post, after which he displayed visible discomfort. This incident led to a discussion on the pitch involving Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis and manager Nuno Espirito Santo.
Marinakis’ Concerns Regarding Medical Handling
Information indicates that Marinakis expressed concerns regarding the medical staff’s handling of Awoniyi’s injury. However, it is understand that he was not directly confronting the Forest manager.
The Aftermath and Nuno’s Statement
Awoniyi received approximately three minutes of treatment on the field. Due to Forest already using their substitution window to replace Elliot Anderson with Jota Silva, he could not be substituted.
Nuno commented on the situation, stating, “It was disappointing for everybody.” He further explained the sequence of events:
- “Unfortunately, we had to play the last 10 minutes with one man less. Taiwo gave it a go, but it was too painful for him to really push and help the team. There was a misunderstanding between the coaching staff and the medical department.”
- “We had the heads up to make a sub, then Taiwo tried but he could not [run fully].”
Nuno also acknowledged the owner’s passion, saying, “[We feel] disappointment and frustration of course. But it is because of the owner and his passion that we are growing as a club. He pushes us. He wants us to be better. It is his passion and desire to be a big club. 30,000 people felt the same today. For sure, many of them would go on the pitch and shake us down. Us as a club, we owe a lot to the Marinakis family.”
Marinakis’ Perspective
Marinakis added, “Today is a day for celebration, because after 30 years Nottingham Forest is now guaranteed to be competing on the European stage once again – a promise I made to our supporters when we achieved promotion!”
Regarding the injury, he stated: “Everybody – coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself – we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgment on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game. This is natural. This is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club.”
“Let’s all be grateful, passionate and keep on dreaming!”
Awoniyi’s Season Statistics
Taiwo Awoniyi has participated in 32 games across all competitions this season, managing to score two goals.