Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has reportedly undergone emergency abdominal surgery following an injury sustained during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City at the City Ground.
The Nigerian international suffered the injury after colliding with a goalpost while attempting to connect with a cross from teammate Anthony Elanga.
Despite several minutes of treatment on the pitch, Awoniyi attempted to continue playing.
However, medical examinations conducted on Monday revealed the true severity of the injury.
He was immediately taken to the hospital for surgery, which, according to reports, was not life-threatening.
The situation sparked a dramatic post-match scene involving Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis, who stormed onto the pitch and confronted manager Nuno Espirito Santo. Marinakis reportedly expressed frustration that Awoniyi had been allowed to remain on the field, despite visible concerns and consultations with the medical staff during stoppage time.
The draw against already-relegated Leicester dealt a significant blow to Forest’s Champions League hopes.
Currently in seventh place, Forest are now one point shy of the top five with only two matches remaining — against West Ham and Chelsea.
While their Champions League qualification is no longer in their own hands, Forest are at least guaranteed a place in the UEFA Conference League, marking their return to European competition for the first time since the 1995–96 season.