Credited from: BBC
Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi is out of an induced coma after undergoing surgery to repair a serious abdominal injury, according to reports from British media. Awoniyi sustained a ruptured intestine after colliding with the goalpost during the 88th minute of a 2-2 draw against Leicester City on Sunday. Initially treated on the pitch, he rejoined the game but was limping for the last 10 minutes, highlighting the severity of his condition, according to BBC and Channel News Asia.
Awoniyi underwent surgery on Monday night, was kept in an induced coma for monitoring, and experienced significant recovery by Wednesday. The club confirmed his surgery was successful and released a statement wishing him well, citing the incident as a reminder of the physical risks involved in football, as indicated by reports from Channel News Asia and Reuters.
The circumstances around Awoniyi's return to the game are under scrutiny. Nottingham Forest's manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, noted a misunderstanding between the coaching and medical teams regarding his substitution during that match. Awoniyi was allowed to continue playing after the collision, while the team owner, Evangelos Marinakis, expressed concern over the incident post-match. Reports from Reuters and BBC confirmed that this aspect will be reviewed internally by the club.