Super Eagle striker Taiwo Awoniyi could lead the line for Nottingham Forest when they face Manchester United on Tuesday with Chris Wood struggling with an injury, Soccernet.ng reports.
Awoniyi has lost his place as the first-choice striker due to his constant injury problems. The Super Eagles star used to be the main man at the club when he first arrived, but Wood took advantage of his injury problems, displacing him at the start of the campaign.
Wood has been incredibly prolific for the Tricky Trees this season, supplying 18 goals and three assists in 29 Premier League games. But the New Zealand striker has been dealing with a hip problem since last week, and that kept him out of Nottingham Forest's game against Brighton last weekend.
Super Eagles striker Awoniyi started that game and although he failed to score, he had a decent performance as the Tricky Trees won the fixture on penalties.
Now it seems that Awoniyi will get another chance to lead the line for the Tricky Trees on Tuesday against Manchester United. This is as coach Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed that Wood is yet to reach full fitness.
“Let’s wait and see (how Wood recovers). It is going to be day by day [that] we have to assess him. It is all about the pain he has. It was a big impact on his hip and it is very painful,” Nuno said, per Stretty News.
“We have to assess him. We are gutted that Chris is not here with us. I cannot answer that [if Wood will be fit to play United]. I don’t know, I’m not sure. It is going to be day by day.”
Wood's injury presents Awoniyi with a golden opportunity, as a goal or two against Manchester United, especially if it helps Forest win, would give Nuno a serious selection headache.
Awoniyi has to grab this opportunity with both hands
Taiwo Awoniyi has to grab this opportunity with both hands by scoring against Manchester United on Tuesday.
Even if he scores, the Super Eagles striker has to put up a string of performances on or from the bench. There are already talks that he could leave Nottingham Forest in the summer.
But if he ends the campaign well, he could keep his place at Nottingham Forest.
