Nottingham Forest is worried about Awoniyi’s injuries, and may miss Super Eagles friendlies

Super Eagles and Nottingham Forest fans received a heartbreaking piece of news before Saturday’s kick-off against Luton after it was revealed that Taiwo Awoniyi had suffered an injury, he is also doubtful for the Super Eagles friendlies against Mali and Ghana during the international break.

The 26-year-old was absent as Nottingham Forest recorded a 1-1 draw against Luton Town.

According to The Athletic – initial tests on the Nigerian have indicated that he is likely to miss “a number” of other matches for Nottingham Forest.

That is the last thing Nuno Espirito Santo would want to hear about his talisman amid a relegation battle.

The injury is also expected to keep Awoniyi out of Nigeria’s upcoming games against Ghana and Mali – he was named in the squad last week.

Chris Wood deputised impressively for the Nigeria international in the 1-1 draw against Luton Town, scoring in the 34th minute which eventually earned Nuno’s side a point in the relegation zone.

Awoniyi – who was heard mocking Harry Toffolo in training with Neco Williams – has impressed this season with six goals and three assists in 20 appearances.

Sky Sports even recently highlighted that he has a better goalscoring rate than Erling Haaland – in fact, no striker in the entire Premier League has been as clinical in recent times.

As disappointing as Awoniyi’s injury is, Nuno has depth to help him in this relegation battle.

The Portuguese tactician can – of course – call upon Wood, who now has ten goals in 26 appearances this season.

Nuno also has Divock Origi to lead the line, while Anthony Elanga has experience of playing centrally from his time at Manchester United.

Hopefully – though – Awoniyi is not out for long, as Nottingham Forest only has nine games remaining in the 2023/24 campaign.

Speaking on Awoniyi’s injury Espirito Santo revealed after the game that the striker is currently injured.

“We need our strikers to finish and score,” the Portuguese told BBC Match of the Day.

“Unfortunately, we’ve had a big blow with the fitness of Taiwo Awoniyi—he had a knock during the week so let’s see how he is—so hopefully Chris [Wood] stays well. We must keep him fit.”

He spent around three months on the sidelines earlier in the current campaign due to a groin problem.

The injury also forced him to miss the 2023 Africa Cup of Nations.

Nigeria will face Ghana on March 22 and Mali four days later.

Both matches will be played at the Grande de Marrakech, Morocco.