Nottingham Forest star Taiwo Awoniyi wakes from coma after abdominal surgery

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has woken from an induced coma after he underwent emergency abdominal surgery.

Awoniyi suffered an injury after colliding with the goalposts during his side’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Sunday.

He received lengthy treatment on the pitch before attempting to play on with Forest having already used their allotted substitutions.

After eventually being withdrawn from the game, the Nigeria international was taken to hospital, believed to have suffered a ruptured intestine during the incident.  

The 27-year-old underwent the first stage of his surgery on Monday before being placed in an induced coma to aid his recovery and regulate his heartbeat.

He underwent the second stage of the operation on Wednesday and was woken in the early evening.

Forest are set to open an internal review into the incident to establish why Awoniyi was allowed to continue the game despite being in clear discomfort.

After the Leicester match, Nottingham Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis was seen remonstrating with manager Nuno Espirito Santo with a statement from the club later claiming he was upset that Awoniyi was allowed to continue.

‘Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City,’ the statement said.

‘To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a football club – it’s family – and he instils that message in all of us.

‘That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday.

‘His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own.

‘In moments like that he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence.

‘In the final 10 minutes of the game, when he saw our player clearly in discomfort, struggling through visible pain, it became increasingly difficult for him to stay on the sidelines.

‘His deep frustration at seeing our player lying on the ground in severe pain – something no one with genuine care could ignore – triggered him to go onto the pitch.

‘It was instinctive, human, and a reflection of just how much this team and its people mean to him. He would do the same again if such an unfortunate event were ever to reoccur.’