Awoniyi was injured in the closing stages of Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Leicester at the weekend, with the Nigeria international undergoing surgery
Felix Keith Senior Sports Reporter and Anthony Evans
10:47, 14 May 2025
Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest applauds
Taiwo Awoniyi has 19 goals in 85 games for Forest(Image: Marc Atkins/Getty Images)
Nottingham Forest's Taiwo Awoniyi has been put in an induced coma for his safety following urgent surgery sustained from an injury during the recent 2-2 draw against Leicester.
The club released a statement on Tuesday confirming the forward is "recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury". According to the Daily Mail, the swift surgical response was crucial, as the injury could have been life-threatening, and thankfully, the 'complex' operation was successful.
Having undergone surgery on Tuesday, Awoniyi is in a medically induced coma to restrict movement and maintain a stable heart rate. The medical team is looking to proceed with the second phase of his surgery on Wednesday, after which they plan to bring him out of the coma.
The Nigerian international had to receive medical attention during the match after a collision with the goalpost in an attempt to score, despite initially indicating to manager Nuno Espirito Santo that he could continue. He was eventually substituted, leaving Forest a man short in their pursuit of a vital goal for their Champions League ambitions, sparking tensions between Forest's owner, Evangelos Marinakis, and Nuno.
Following the incident, Forest was driven to issue a statement on Tuesday to provide an update on Awoniyi’s condition and address the speculation surrounding Marinakis and Nuno, reports the Mirror.
Nottingham Forest released a statement saying: "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.
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"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. At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy for us; it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn't just a football club - it's family - and he instils that message in all of us.
Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest receives medical treatment(Image: Getty Images)
"That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own. He didn't just see it as an isolated incident, but as something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.
"In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence. In the final ten minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines.
"His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain - something no one with genuine care could ignore - triggered him to go onto the pitch. It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur.
"The truth of the matter is there was no confrontation, with Nuno or with others, either on the pitch or inside the stadium. There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue.
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"In light of this, we urge former coaches and players, and other public figures in the game, to resist the urge to rush to judgement and fake news online, especially when they do not have the full facts and context. Baseless and ill-informed outrage for the purposes of personal social media traction serves no one - least of all the injured player.
"We call on these influential voices to show the same respect for player welfare that they often demand from others. Let concern come before commentary.
"At Nottingham Forest, we believe the mental and physical well-being of our players and coaching staff must always take precedence - over media narratives, inflammatory judgements, and certainly over self-promotion. In moments like these, the game must unite around those who put their bodies and minds on the line every week. That's what real leadership looks like in our game."