Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is out of an induced coma and recovering in hospital following urgent abdominal surgery, the head coach of the team has confirmed.
The 27-year-old suffered a ruptured intestine after colliding with a goalpost during Sunday's 2-2 draw with Leicester City.
Awoniyi was rushed to hospital on Monday evening after Forest's medical staff discovered the severity of his injury.
His condition worsened, leading to emergency surgery followed by an induced coma to help restrict his movement and regulate his heart rate.
Taiwo Awoniyi collided with the post and was rushed to hospital after the game
Reuters
Head coach Nuno Espirito Santo confirmed on Friday the surgery had been successful, with the Nigerian international now under observation as he recovers.
Despite receiving lengthy treatment on the pitch after the collision, Awoniyi attempted to continue playing, though he was visibly in discomfort.
This decision later became a point of contention, with the club expressing frustration that their medical team allowed the striker to play on.
Forest's medical staff conducted further investigations on Monday, revealing the true seriousness of Awoniyi's condition. His health deteriorated rapidly that evening, necessitating emergency surgery.
The striker was subsequently placed in an induced coma as part of his medical treatment, specifically to limit his movement and help regulate his heart rate during the critical post-operative period.
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Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Nuno Espirito Santo said: "He went to surgery and surgery went well, thank God.
"He is on observation now. He is recovering. We still have to wait for the doctors to allow visits. His family are there. We are concerned but we are positive."
The Forest manager went on to describe the emotional toll on the squad: "It has been very difficult on us and on everybody.
"The concern of the injury that he had, the situation that he went through. It has been hard on us."
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Taiwo Awoniyi was helped on the pitch but finished the game Reuters LATEST SPORTS NEWS:
Nuno expressed hope that Awoniyi would soon be able to rejoin the team environment as part of his recovery process.
Medical staff have advised that Awoniyi will remain in hospital under observation for at least five days before being discharged.
"The information that we have is that he has to be there on observation for at least five days, [to check] that everything goes well," Nuno added.
The Forest boss hopes to visit his striker soon and noted that players are "constantly chatting on the groups" to support their teammate.
Following the incident, Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen speaking with Nuno on the pitch.
The club later clarified in a statement there was "no confrontation" but rather "shared frustration" that "the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue."
