Afcon 2023: Injured Awoniyi out for three to four months, set to miss championship

Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest were handed a major blow as Taiwo Awoniyi looks set to have another spell on the sidelines through injury.

Awoniyi is expected to miss ‘three to four months’ of the campaign after undergoing surgery on the injury, according to reports.

Forest were handed a worry over the striker when it was confirmed last week that he had withdrawn from the Nigeria squad due to an unspecified injury. It now seems that Forest’s worst fears are being realised.

According to the Times, Awoniyi has undergone surgery and is expected to be out for three to four months. The specifics of the injury are not revealed.

The lay-off is the latest for Awoniyi who has endured injury problems since moving to Forest last summer. He returned last month after missing two Premier League games.

The 26-year-old also missed two months of last season due to a groin injury. He has had an impressive goalscoring record since returning from that injury, scoring nine goals in seven games between the end of last season and the start of the current campaign.

The injury to Awoniyi is the latest of a number suffered by Forest players since their return to the Premier League in 2022.

It leaves Steve Cooper with Chris Wood and Divock Origi as his striking options up until the January window, both have also recently returned from injury lay-offs.

The situation could prompt the Reds to make a move for a striker when the January transfer window opens in just a matter of weeks. This week they were linked with an interest in German international Marvin Ducksch, who is said to be valued at a price of around €15m.