Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has provided further positive update on the recovery of Taiwo Awoniyi who underwent surgery for an abdominal injury, Afrosport reports.
The Nigerian forward needed emergency surgery after suffering internal damage from clattering into the goal post in the closing moments of Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Leicester City.
Awoniyi needed two rounds of surgeries, the second one requiring him to be in an induced coma which he has since woken up from.
Providing further update on his recovery, Espirito Santo said: “He went to surgery, the surgery went well, thank God. He’s in observation now, I think he’s recovering but we still have to wait for the doctors to allow visits. His family are there, we are concerned but we are positive.
“It has been very difficult on us and on everybody because of the concern of the injury that he had and the situation he went through. It has been hard on us.”
Espirito Santo added: “The information that we have is that at least five days, he has to be there under observation, so that everything goes well.
“I’ll try to visit him as soon as possible. He’s in good hands, and the family is there, which is what he really needs – the support there of the family.
“It has been very difficult because of the concern of the injury, the situation he went through.
“It’s been very difficult, very difficult on us and on everybody, the concern of the injury that he had, the situation that he entered through, it’s been hard on us.”
“He’s a wonderful boy.”
Nuno with an update on Taiwo.
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 16, 2025
Espirito Santo further revealed that Forest players have been in constant communication with Awoniyi through group chats.
The 27-year-old has played 32 times in all competitions, the bulk of them off the bench, and has scored just two goals, making it his lowest goal tally since the 2019-20 season when he scored once while on loan at German club Mainz from Liverpool.
