Shearer, Aurier bank on Awoniyi to keep Forest up 

Newcastle legend Alan Shearer believes Taiwo Awoniyi’s form in front of goal could keep Nottingham Forest in the Premier League.

The Reds striker has hit the goal trail at the perfect time as the battle for survival reaches its climax.

He has scored four goals in his last two matches, to help inspire Forest to a 4-3 victory over bottom club Southampton and a 2-2 draw against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge last Saturday.

Awoniyi hit a double in both of those matches, having only scored four times in the league during the rest of the campaign.

Shearer included Awoniyi in his Premier League Team of the Week, following his heroics against Chelsea.

And the former Newcastle United striker believes the Nigerian could have a big role to play in Forest’s final two matches of the season against Arsenal and Crystal Palace, with the Reds currently two places and three points above the drop zone.

Teammate Serge Aurier said Forest missed Awoniyi when he was injured and he lauded the impact his return to action.

The Reds player missed three months of action with a groin problem and as a result, the team’s form stuttered considerably.

Before beating Brighton last month, the Reds had gone 11 games without a victory and slipped to 19th in the Premier League.

His return has helped the team begin to climb the table once again and he’s scored four goals in his last two appearances.

Aurier told The Guardian: “We missed him when he got injured for three months but now he’s back and we need to keep him in the team.”

Aurier signed on a free transfer in the summer and has been a brilliant member of the squad this season.

Similarly, Awoniyi has also been a huge presence in the squad but he did cost £17 million from Union Berlin.

The 25-year-old has been in a rich vein of form over the last week and his goals could be crucial.