Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is in an induced coma after undergoing the first phase of emergency surgery for a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s 2-2 Premier League draw against Leicester City at the City Ground, MySportDab Reports.
The 27-year-old Nigeria international suffered the injury in the 88th minute after colliding with the post while attempting to connect with a cross from Anthony Elanga.
Despite initially receiving treatment on the pitch and continuing briefly, Awoniyi was visibly in discomfort before the final whistle.
Forest confirmed on Tuesday that the forward underwent surgery on Monday night and is currently in hospital, with the remaining part of the procedure scheduled for Wednesday.
The club said Awoniyi is “recovering well,” and that the induced coma is part of the medical strategy to regulate his heart rate and limit physical movement during the critical post-operative phase.
Awoniyi had only just entered the match as a late substitute for Ibrahim Sangare and had been on the pitch for five minutes before the incident occurred.
The severity of the injury prompted Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis to enter the pitch post-match, reportedly to question manager Nuno Espirito Santo about the situation.
The club has since emphasized the importance of player welfare, calling the incident “a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and wellbeing must always come first.”
Forest and the medical team continue to monitor Awoniyi’s condition closely, with further updates expected in the coming days.
