Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has given a fresh update on the recovery of Nigerian forward Taiwo Awoniyi, Afrosport reports.
The 27-year-old suffered a serious abdominal injury after forcefully clattering into the frame of the post in a 2-2 draw with Premier League draw with Leicester City a fortnight ago.
Awoniyi needed two rounds of surgeries to allow internal wounds heal and was in an induced coma which he woke up from.
In support of the former Liverpool player, Forest players wore shirts wishing him well in his recovery in last week’s 2-1 win away at West Ham United, with Morgan Gibbs-White holding his jersey after scoring the first goal of the game.
Espirito Santo, speaking ahead of this weekend’s crunch league finale with Chelsea, revealed Awoniyi is now carrying out some routine tasks.
“He is much better. Already been able to walk,” the Sao Tome and Principe-born tactician said. “Doctor informed he is starting his normal life in terms of eating his food, so he is doing much better.”
When asked Awoniyi will attend Sunday’s finale, Espirito Santo added: “Can’t answer that. I don’t know, but he is okay.
“In the game he is not going to be with us, it was a big issue, it is in our mind yet and we want him to be healthy again. So it is going to be a game for Taiwo, for the fans, for the city, for everybody.”
For Taiwo.
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Forest are in the hunt for Champions League qualification, and victory over Chelsea at the City Ground will strengthen their quest while hoping either Newcastle United or Aston Villa falter in their fixtures against Everton and Manchester United respectively.
