English Premier League club Nottingham Forest has confirmed that Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well following emergency surgery for a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City.
Awoniyi, 27, collided with the goalpost during the match at the City Ground and required several minutes of treatment before briefly returning to the pitch. However, he was clearly in discomfort and had to be withdrawn shortly after.
In a statement released on Tuesday, the club confirmed the Nigerian international had undergone successful surgery and was on the road to recovery.
“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.
The club also used the opportunity to defend the actions of its owner, Evangelos Marinakis, who was seen entering the pitch towards the end of the game — a move that drew attention.
“The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first,” the club stated.
“At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy; it is a deeply held belief of our owner.”
The statement went on to explain that Marinakis acted out of “deep care and emotional investment” in response to the visible pain Awoniyi was experiencing.
The club denied any confrontation with head coach Nuno Espírito Santo or members of the medical team.
“There was no confrontation, with Nuno or with others… only shared frustration that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.”
Taiwo Awoniyi, a key member of the Super Eagles squad and a crucial part of Forest’s Premier League survival push, has been plagued by injuries this season.
His current recovery timeline is yet to be officially disclosed.
