Nottingham Forest striker Awoniyi is out of an induced coma after having surgery to repair a ruptured intestine.
What happened?
The Nigerian striker suffered a suspected ruptured intestine and required surgery on Monday before being placed in an induced coma a day later.
Awoniyi smashed into a goalpost in the 2-2 draw with Leicester on Sunday, leading to club chairman Evangelos Marinakis confronting manager Nuno Espirito Santo on the pitch at full-time over how the players injury was handled.
On Tuesday Forest said Awoniyi’s injury was “a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game and why a player’s health and wellbeing must always come first”.
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Awoniyi received lengthy medical attention after the incident but seemed to signal that he was fine to continue, with Forest having used their allocated substitutes. But the 27-year-old was clearly struggling and it is understood a full review into the incident will take place to establish why the medical staff allowed him back onto the field of play, according to BBC Sport.
Awoniyi spent Tuesday in an induced coma and then had the second part of his operation to close the wound around his abdominal area on Wednesday. He then woke up later that evening.
Awoniyi certainly won’t feature in either of Forest’s final two Premier League games of the season as he continues his road to recovery.
‘Potentially life-threatening’ – the expert’s view
Speaking to BBC Sport, consultant colorectal surgeon Gillian Tierney said the type of injury Awoniyi suffered can be fatal.”The injury is really serious. It is potentially life-threatening,” said Tierney.
What’s next for Forest?
The Midlands side are seventh on the Premier League table after a run of just one win in six games but could still grab a Champions League place if they finish strongly and results go their way elsewhere.
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