Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is expected to be brought out of an induced coma on Wednesday following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury.
The 27-year-old Nigerian forward sustained the injury during Sunday's 2-2 draw against Leicester City at the City Ground.
Awoniyi underwent surgery on Monday after colliding with a goalpost during the match.
The incident occurred in the 88th minute and led to dramatic scenes, including Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis storming onto the pitch.
Taiwo Awoniyi underwent 'urgent surgery' after suffering a severe injury on Sunday
ReutersAwoniyi clattered against the post while attempting to meet a cross from Anthony Elanga.
The collision happened as Awoniyi tried to connect with the ball, but Elanga was in an offside position when he collected it.
Following protocol from the International Football Association Board, the assistant referee did not raise their flag until after Awoniyi's collision with the post.
After receiving lengthy treatment, Awoniyi returned to the pitch despite appearing to be in considerable pain.
Medical staff made the decision to place Awoniyi into an induced coma to stabilise his condition and for his own comfort.
Forest anticipate the striker will make a full recovery from his serious abdominal injury.
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However, it remains unclear when he will be discharged from hospital following Monday's surgery.
The club was left with 10 men for the closing stages of the match as they had already used all their permitted substitutes.
The draw dented Forest's hopes of qualifying for the Champions League.
In a statement on Tuesday, Forest explained Marinakis's decision to enter the pitch after the incident.
Taiwo Awoniyi collided with a post during Nottingham Forest's 2-2 draw with Leicester on SundayGETTY"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 on the pitch," the club said.
The statement added that Marinakis "would do the same if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur."
The pitch invasion came after the injury left Forest with 10 men for the final minutes of the match.
Forest also disputed claims that Marinakis had a confrontation with head coach Nuno Espírito Santo after entering the pitch.
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Taiwo Awoniyi suffered the injury in the latter stages of Sunday's 2-2 draw between Nottingham Forest and Leicester, prompting Evangelos Marinakis' on-field outburstPA"There was only shared frustration between all of us that the medical team should never have allowed the player to continue," the statement said.
The club's statement made clear that both Marinakis and the coaching staff were united in their concern for Awoniyi's wellbeing.
The incident has raised questions about the protocols for treating injured players during matches.
