Nottingham Forest’s final Premier League match against Chelsea this weekend will carry extra emotion as the team rallies behind injured striker Taiwo Awoniyi, who remains sidelined after a frightening injury.
The Nigerian forward, a key figure in Forest’s surprising push for European football this season, suffered a ruptured intestine in a collision with the goalpost during last month’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City. The incident required emergency surgery and left Awoniyi in an induced coma, though he has since made significant progress in his recovery.
Despite his absence on the pitch, Awoniyi’s presence will be felt at the City Ground. His teammates have already shown their support, wearing shirts bearing his name before their match against West Ham and dedicating goals to him. Midfielder Morgan Gibbs-White notably held up Awoniyi’s jersey after scoring in their recent fixture.
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Head coach Nuno Espírito Santo provided an encouraging update, confirming that Awoniyi is improving and has resumed normal activities, including eating solid food. However, his return to match fitness remains uncertain.
“He’s much better. He’s already been able to walk. The doctor has informed us that he’s starting his normal life in terms of food, so he’s much better,” Nuno Espirito Santo said in quotes revealed by Nottingham Post.
“I cannot answer whether he will be at the City Ground. I don’t know. It’s about the medical (information), so I’m not sure, but he’s OK.
“We are going to be playing for T again. He is not going to be with us. It was a big issue that happened to him, and it is in our minds.
“We want to see him totally healthy and joining in the group, so it is again going to be a game for T. For T, for us, for the fans, for the city, for everybody, but we just play the game.
Super Eagles Taiwo Awoniyi with Nottingham Forest coach Nuno Espirito. ( Image credit: Getty images)
“I hope this day is enjoyable for all of us, but we are going to face a good team. They have talented players. They are like us, in that it is a decisive game for all of us,” the former Tottenham Hotspur coach concluded.
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With a European spot within reach, Forest’s clash against Chelsea is their biggest in decades. Sitting seventh, a win could secure an unlikely Champions League berth—a remarkable achievement for a club that only returned to the top flight last season.
As the team prepares for their decisive showdown, Awoniyi’s resilience continues to inspire. Whether watching from the stands or recovering at home, his spirit will undoubtedly fuel Forest’s quest for history.
