Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has undergone urgent surgery for a serious abdominal injury sustained during last weekend’s Premier League match against Leicester City.
The 27-year-old Nigerian international collided with the goal post in the 88th minute of the 2-2 draw at the City Ground while attempting to get on the end of a cross from Anthony Elanga.
The club confirmed Awoniyi’s surgery in a statement on Tuesday, saying, “The club can confirm Taiwo Awoniyi has undergone urgent surgery following an abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City.
“Everyone at Nottingham Forest sends their best wishes to Taiwo. The club will provide further updates when appropriate.”
Awoniyi had only been on the pitch for five minutes, coming on as a late substitute for Ibrahim Sangare.
Despite prolonged treatment on the field, he tried to play on, but the full extent of his injury was only discovered by medical staff on Monday.
The incident sparked controversy, with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis storming onto the pitch after the full-time whistle to confront head coach Nuno Espirito Santo.
Marinakis cited the handling of Awoniyi’s injury as the reason for his actions, expressing frustration over the medical staff’s decision to let the player continue.
“Everybody — coaching staff, players, supporters, and including myself — we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgment on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game,” Marinakis said in an Instagram post.
“This is natural, this is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club.”
The draw with Leicester took Forest’s bid to qualify for the Champions League out of their own hands, but it guaranteed a top-seven finish and European football next season.
Forest still hopes to qualify for the Champions League if they win their last two league fixtures, including a final-day clash with Chelsea, and other teams drop points.
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