Nottingham Forest's manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, maintains optimism regarding Taiwo Awoniyi's potential return to the squad, aiming to strengthen their chances of survival in the English Premier League.
Currently, the Tricky Trees occupy the relegation zone in the Premier League, holding just one point ahead of Luton Town, who sit in 18th place with a mere 25 points in the standings.
Awoniyi, their key striker, plagued by persistent injuries, has been sidelined for an extended period, hampering his involvement in the team's battle for survival.
With Forest hovering just one point outside the relegation zone, the fitness and availability of every player are pivotal in their quest to secure another season in the English top flight.
The Nigeria international was ruled out for three months at the start of the season and only returned to action in January.
However, he barely played before suffering a recurrent injury right before the March international break, which forced him to miss his country’s friendlies against Ghana and Mali.
The Nigerian international has played just 1029 minutes for Nottingham Forest this season but has impressively contributed six goals and three assists in the Premier League.
Forest will play as guests of Sheffield United at the Bramall Lane on Saturday.
Nuno optimistic about Taiwo Awoniyi's return for Sheffield United clash
Ahead of Forest's clash with Sheffield United, Nuno Espirito Santo provided an update on Taiwo Awoniyi's fitness and potential involvement in the upcoming match.
Speaking at the press conference, Nuno expressed cautious optimism about Awoniyi's return to the squad after a week-long absence.
“He was out all week. He started today with the group so let’s see if he has this positive feeling. I think he can help us,” the 50-year-old manager remarked during the press conference.
Assessing Awoniyi's condition, Nuno added, “He joined the team today, he had good feelings, we still have to wait for tomorrow to see how it goes. And if he feels okay like he felt today, I think he can definitely help with his experience, he’s a goal scorer. We are aware and we know that he’s not in his top level but definitely a helpful player for us in these final moments.”
Awoniyi's vital role vital as Nottingham Forest fight for Premier League survival
As Nottingham Forest find themselves locked in a fierce battle to avoid relegation from the English Premier League, the importance of Taiwo Awoniyi to their survival hopes cannot be overstated.
Last season, the Nigerian forward proved his worth with an impressive tally of 10 goals and one assist in 27 games for Forest as they mounted a late rally to escape relegation.
This season, despite facing challenges, Awoniyi has continued to be a vital contributor, notching six goals and providing three assists in 17 games.
His goal-scoring prowess and creative flair have been instrumental in Forest's offensive efforts, providing them with a much-needed attacking threat.
Moreover, Awoniyi's experience and familiarity with the team make him a valuable asset during this crucial phase of the campaign.
As Nottingham Forest navigates the hurdles of the relegation battle, Awoniyi's knack for delivering crucial performances could ultimately shape their destiny in the Premier League.
Awoniyi's return will be good news for the Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers
Not only will the 26-year-old's return be a major boost for Forest, but it will also be a huge lift for fans of the Super Eagles ahead of the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers in June.
Taiwo Awoniyi's fortunes with the national team have been poor in recent months, as he has only made eight appearances for his country.
While he was included in the squad for the 2021 Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Cameroon, the striker missed out on the 2023 edition in Ivory Coast due to injury.
Awoniyi was also absent from the Super Eagles' March international friendlies against Ghana and Mali, marking nearly a year since the Nottingham Forest forward last represented his nation.
However, he may potentially be in contention for Nigeria's forthcoming World Cup qualifiers against South Africa and Benin.
The Super Eagles are currently without a win in their qualifying group, having drawn against Lesotho and Zimbabwe in their initial two matches.
As such, they require significant victories against Bafana Bafana and Benin to bolster their prospects of securing qualification for the World Cup.
If Awoniyi recuperates before the end of the season, as anticipated by his club manager, he will be eligible for consideration for the upcoming international fixtures in June.
