When it comes to injuries at Nottingham Forest, it never rains, it pours. Now, Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed a hammer blow for another one of his top stars.
Forest have had a number of injuries to contend with once again during the 2023/24 campaign. Last season, only Chelsea had more injuries across the campaign than the Reds and things haven’t changed much this time around.
In fairness, right now, Forest have most of their squad available for selection. Ola Aina and Gonzalo Montiel returned to the squad on Saturday but a couple are still out of action.
After the 1-1 draw with Crystal Palace, Espirito Santo claimed that Willy Boly would need to be assessed ahead of tonight’s clash with Fulham – but Taiwo Awoniyi isn’t so luckily.
It’s been a pretty miserable campaign for the Nigerian. He was forced to have surgery on his groin that ruled him out for a couple of months earlier in the season and now he’s on the treatment table again.
Nuno Espirito Santo delivers update on Forest star Taiwo Awoniyi
Well, this doesn’t appear to be a niggle that Awoniyi has picked up. He’s suffered what appears to be another serious problem and Espirito Santo has been quizzed on his striker.
Speaking after the game against Palace at the weekend, the head coach explained that he hoped to see Awoniyi again this season but couldn’t put a timescale on things right now.
He told Nottinghamshire Live: “He is doing treatment. It is a serious injury, unfortunately. It’s a big blow because he had just come back from injury. The importance of Taiwo is huge. He gives us another option.”
Awoniyi has been a largely decent signing since joining from Union Berlin in 2022. He cost £18 million and last season he fired 11 goals in all competitions to help Forest stay in the Premier League.
Forest have a decision to make on influential talisman
It might sound very harsh but in our view, Forest simply can’t solely rely on Awoniyi again next season. If the club remains in the top flight, there is going to be a big decision to make ahead of the new campaign.
Awoniyi continues to break down, sadly. No sooner has he been forced into groin surgery he’s now got another mystery injury that seemingly needs looking after and is ruling him out again.
At 26-years-old, Awoniyi is approaching his prime but for a club like Forest they need him to stay fit. Thankfully, this season, Chris Wood has stepped up but he might not be around at the City Ground in the future.
Awoniyi is a player who will score goals in the Premier League when he’s fit and firing. However, this season that has been all too infrequent, with a number of injury issues sidelining him.
In our view, Forest have a big decision to make over Awoniyi. If there are enough funds to sign a new number-one striker, perhaps it’d be worth signing one and replacing their current striker.
Awoniyi has been brilliant for Forest since he signed for the club. However, getting him on the pitch at key moments has been a real issue and he’s now providing the club with a bit of a conundrum.
