Nottingham Forest boss Cooper restates faith in Awoniyi despite injury layoff

Awoniyi sustained a similar injury last season, and he was out for months

Nottingham Forest coach Steve Cooper has affirmed his faith in Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi despite his injury layoff, Soccernet reports.

Awoniyi has been a very important player for Nottingham Forest this season. Last season, he scored six goals in Forest’s last four games to help them stay alive in the Premier League.

He started this season in blistering form, scoring three in the Tricky Trees’ first three games.

However, he has suffered a lull since he returned from the international break with Nigeria, failing to score in his last three games. And just hours before Nottingham Forest’s game against Crystal Palace on Saturday, the 24-year-old hitman was ruled out of action because of a groin injury.

He was then confirmed to be out of action for at least a month. This means that he will miss Forest’s next three Premier League games, Luton Town, Liverpool, and Aston Villa.

Nonetheless, Forest boss Cooper is confident that Awoniyi will deliver when he returns from his injury spell.

“Of course, it is a blow, he’s [Awoniyi] been our man up front,” Cooper said per Nottinghampost.

“He’s out for a month. He did it in the game against Brentford.

“He’s been injured before and came back really strong, so he knows he can do it. He’ll commit to that.

“We’ll get T into recovery and rehab as quick as we can. We’ll give every help we can give him, because we know his attitude will be great as he tries to get back with us as soon as possible.”

Last season, when Awoniyi returned from his injury layoff, his goals helped Nottingham Forest stay alive in the Premier League.