Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has confirmed Taiwo Awoniyi’s return to full training from a groin injury.
The Nigeria international has been out of action since early January, last featuring in a 1-0 Premier League win at Southampton, in which he scored the only goal. He was however taken off after 71 minutes in discomfort and was replaced by Sam Surridge.
Cooper also confirmed that Senegal defender Cheikhou Kouyate is back in training while Chris Wood will be out for the rest of the season.
The Welsh tactician also pointed out that Serge Aurier and Andre Ayew will miss this weekend’s league clash at home to Wolverhampton Wanderers after both players got injured while on international duty for the Ivory Coast and Ghana respectively.
“Chris Wood is out for the season,” Cooper said on the club website. “He’s picked up an injury during the international break.
“Serge Aurier, Andre Ayew and Gustavo Scarpa have picked up some injuries over the break as well. We’re not sure how long they will be out or what their availability will be for the next few games.
“Taiwo Awoniyi and Cheikhou Kouyate are back in full training, and obviously Moussa is back now having played the last game and then making his international debut for Senegal.
“It’s just something we have to deal with, we’ll put our focus into the players who are available and who are training ready to play the next game and commit to them guys.”
Gym work ????️ pic.twitter.com/IrBLaVEILC
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Awoniyi’s return to full training will be a boost for Forest as they continue their push towards Premier League survival.
They are currently 16th in the league table, just two points shy of the relegation zone.
