Taiwo Awoniyi, the Nottingham Forest striker, has been placed in an induced coma after he underwent the initial stage of surgery for an abdominal injury. This follows an incident during the match against Leicester where he collided forcefully with the goalpost. Reports indicate the injury took place shortly after Awoniyi entered the game in the second half, necessitating urgent medical attention.

The match saw some tension arise on the pitch as Forest’s owner, Evangelos Marinakis, expressed his concerns with manager Nuno Espirito Santo about the decision to keep Awoniyi on the field, despite the evident injury. As the situation became critical, Nottingham Forest ended up playing with ten men in the waning minutes of the game after making all their substitutions.

A club statement released on Tuesday emphasized the gravity of Awoniyi’s condition, reiterating the commitment to player health and well-being as a foundational principle for Nottingham Forest. Marinakis underscored that the club is like family to him and showcased his emotional investment in the safety of his players.

“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,” said Marinakis in the statement.

With two matches remaining in the season against West Ham and Chelsea, Nottingam Forest has already secured a spot in the European competitions for the upcoming season, also vying for a place in the Champions League with just a point separating them from the top five.