Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has regained consciousness following an induced coma after undergoing emergency surgery to repair a ruptured intestine sustained during a match against Leicester City on Sunday.
The injury occurred in the final moments of the 2-2 draw when Awoniyi collided with a goalpost.
Awoniyi was rushed to the hospital on Monday for the first stage of surgery. He was placed in an induced coma on Tuesday as medical staff monitored his condition. The second stage of the procedure, which involved closing the wound, was completed on Wednesday, and Awoniyi was successfully woken from the coma later that evening.
The incident has prompted Nottingham Forest to launch an internal review to investigate why Awoniyi was allowed to continue playing after receiving lengthy medical attention on the pitch. Despite appearing to inform medics he could continue, the Nigerian striker was visibly uncomfortable, as seen in TV footage. By that point, head coach Nuno Espirito Santo had used all available substitutes.
Club owner Evangelos Marinakis expressed concern to Espirito Santo post-match about the handling of Awoniyi’s injury. In a statement released on Tuesday, Forest highlighted “shared frustration” with the medical team’s decision to allow Awoniyi to remain on the field, emphasizing that the player’s health is paramount.
The club’s review will focus on establishing the facts surrounding the incident and the medical decisions made.
Further updates on Awoniyi’s recovery are expected as he continues to be monitored.