Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has thanked fans and teammates for their support as he recovers from a serious abdominal injury.
The Nigerian collided with a post in the final minutes of last Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City. He was subsequently taken to hospital and underwent two operations.
In his pre-match press conference on Friday, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo said he hoped Awoniyi would be well enough to be around the Reds on the final day of the season. In the meantime, Forest wore T-shirts showing their support for the forward as they warmed up for their clash with West Ham United this afternoon (Sunday, 2.15pm kick-off).
In a post on social media, Awoniyi said: “This season has been one of the most difficult of my career but through it all, I have felt the love. With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.
“To my teammates, coaches, staff and the entire Forest family, thank you for your well wishes, seeing you all on your visit to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say. Wishing the boys the very best in these last two games, keep believing and keep pushing. I’m with you all the way and I can’t wait to be back out there with the boys doing what I love.
“To my family, friends and football fans, thank you for the support, and to everyone back home in Nigeria who has checked in on me, prayed for me and left kind words, thank you. I see them. I feel them. And I carry them with me every day as I recover. Come on you Reds.”
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Reds players wore T-shirts with Awoniyi’s name and the number nine on them as they warmed up in the capital. On the back, they bore the message: “We’re all with you Taiwo.”
Nuno’s side go into the game against the Hammers hoping to keep their Champions League dream alive by claiming a win. Three points could then potentially set up a final-day decider with Chelsea at the City Ground next Sunday in the race for a top-five finish.
It has been a tough season for Awoniyi, who has been hampered by injuries and has struggled for regular minutes. Nuno said on Friday: “The players are constantly chatting on the groups. We know that he is well. He just needs time.
“I hope that next week he can join us and be around, because he’s a wonderful boy. This season has been so hard on him so we just feel so sorry for him.
“He had surgery. The surgery went well, thank God, so he is on observation now. He’s recovering.
“We still have to wait for the doctors to allow visits. His family are there. We are concerned but we are positive.”
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