Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi finds himself in the midst of a crucial injury setback, just as Nottingham Forest battles against relegation, Soccernet.ng reports.
Awoniyi, who is currently serving his second injury spell of the season, underwent groin surgery earlier to address a persistent issue.
Despite returning to action in January, his recovery has been marred by setbacks, prompting Forest boss Nuno Esposito Santos to emphasize the need for cautious handling as Awoniyi strives to regain full fitness.
Unfortunately, another setback occurred prior to the Luton Town match, sidelining Awoniyi once again.
Although initial prognosis lacked clarity on his return timeline, recent scans have provided hope that Awoniyi may contribute during the crucial phase of the season, with four games remaining.
As Nottingham Forest prepares to host Pep Guardiola’s Manchester City in a bid to keep their Premier League hopes alive, Awoniyi’s availability remains uncertain. City, seeking to close the gap with table-toppers Arsenal, pose a formidable challenge.
According to Santos, Awoniyi has not fully rejoined the group, indicating that he may not be fully fit to return against Manchester City.
“Taiwo hasn’t joined the group yet, he is still partially integrated into the group.” Santos stated in a recent press conference.
This suggests that the former Union Berlin striker may not be ready for the crucial clash, with reports that he may be nearing a return to the squad.
Despite the setback, Awoniyi remains a significant asset to the Forest squad, with hopes that he could still make a return this season.
“The importance of Taiwo is huge. He gives us another option. I don’t know exactly how long he will be out for but I am positive we are going to see him again this season.” Santos expressed optimism.
While his availability for Nottingham Forest remains uncertain, Awoniyi could potentially feature in Nigeria’s crucial 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against South Africa and Benin Republic in June.