DE Sports Desk :
Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has reportedly been placed in an induced coma following emergency surgery for a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s Premier League clash with Leicester City, according to multiple British media outlets including the BBC.
The 27-year-old Nigeria international suffered the injury in the 88th minute of the 2–2 draw at the City Ground, when he collided with the goalpost while attempting to convert a cross from teammate Anthony Elanga.
Awoniyi had entered the match just five minutes earlier as a substitute for Ibrahim Sangare.
Despite receiving immediate medical attention on the field, Awoniyi continued to play and was visibly limping for the remainder of the match.
Nottingham Forest released a statement on Tuesday confirming that Awoniyi had undergone urgent surgery and was “recovering well,” but did not address the reports of an induced coma.“
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 club said.
Reuters reported that efforts to reach Forest for further comment were ongoing.
Meanwhile, tensions flared after the match as Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen entering the pitch and speaking animatedly with manager Nuno Espírito Santo.
The Forest boss later explained that Marinakis was frustrated over the decision not to substitute Awoniyi after the injury, attributing it to a miscommunication between the coaching and medical staff.
In response to circulating reports suggesting a confrontation between Marinakis and Espírito Santo, the club on Tuesday labelled the claims as “fake news.”
Awoniyi, who joined Forest from Union Berlin in June 2022, has been a key figure for the club but has struggled with injuries throughout the season.
Further updates on Awoniyi’s condition are expected in the coming days.