Nigeria striker Taiwo Awoniyi is very close to returning from injury, Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has confirmed.
The 26-year-old has been out of action since March when he aggravated an already existing injury in training. Awoniyi has since not played for the Reds, missing games against Crystal Palace, Fulham, Tottenham Hotspur and Wolverhampton Wanderers.
Awoniyi has been training away from the first team in recent days and has been undertaking individual drills as he aims to return to full fitness. While Nottingham Forest fans would’ve hoped to be able to count on him for this Sunday’s relegation six-pointer against Everton, the game seems to have come too early for Awoniyi.
The former Liverpool forward is still not fully fit and has been ruled out of the match against the Toffees at Goodison Park. Reds manager Espirito Santo has, however, delivered a positive update on the player’s recovery.
Nuno Espirito Santo says Awoniyi could join group training in midweek
Addressing journalists ahead of Sunday’s important clash against Everton, the 50-year-old disclosed that Awoniyi is yet to join the first team in training. He explained that the striker is unable to train with the squad at the moment but could begin training with the rest of the team in midweek.
Espirito Santo said Awoniyi’s injury situation was being managed, adding that the striker will be examined to determine his availability for next week’s big game against Manchester City.
“Taiwo [Awoniyi] hasn’t joined the group yet. He is still partially integrated into the group. Maybe in the middle of the week, he’ll be able to do something with us. We’re managing and tomorrow we’ll assess him regarding the game,” the Nottingham Forest boss told Sky Sports.
Awoniyi has been a key player for the Premier League side since signing from Bundesliga outfit Union Berlin, although niggling injuries have prevented the striker from enjoying a consistent run in the team. The Nigeria international was the driving force behind the club’s survival hopes last season and netted some crucial goals as they preserved their Premier League status.
Awoniyi has been in and out of the team this season too: he was ruled out for three months at the start of the campaign and, upon recovering in January, he suffered a recurrent injury barely two months later that kept him out to date.
Awoniyi could leave if Nottingham Forest get relegated
Despite his injury woes, Awoniyi remains one of Nottingham Forest’s most potent forwards – only Chris Wood has scored more goals than him – having contributed six goals and a further three assists in 17 Premier League matches this season. The Nigerian forward averages a goal every 172 minutes in the English top-flight.
While Awoniyi could be available for the Reds’ final five matches of the season, the club remains at risk of being relegated. Nottingham Forest currently occupy the 17th position and are just a point above the relegation zone.
Their position on the league table could change, though, if they win their appeal against a four-point deduction for breaching the Premier League’s profit and sustainability rules. With just two points currently separating 16th and 18th in the league, Espirito Santo’s side would receive a huge boost to their survival hopes if their appeal is successful.
Should the club get relegated to the Championship, however, it’s likely that they’ll lose some of their key players, including Awoniyi. The striker has been linked to Newcastle United and West Ham United in recent weeks and, as much as Nottingham Forest would like to keep him, the club would have no choice but to sell if a suitable offer is made in order to balance their books and avoid a further breach of the profit and sustainability rules.
