Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi faces a late fitness test ahead of his side’s crucial Premier League encounter with Everton, as manager Nuno Espírito Santo grapples with multiple injury concerns.
The Nigerian international has been sidelined with a hamstring issue sustained during Forest’s 2-1 victory over Manchester United two weeks ago.
His absence was felt during last weekend’s 4-2 loss to Aston Villa, and his availability remains uncertain heading into Sunday’s fixture.
Speaking to the media during his pre-match press conference, Nuno provided a cautious update on Awoniyi’s condition while also revealing that forwards Chris Wood and Anthony Elanga are nursing knocks of their own.
“They [Wood, Awoniyi, and Elanga] have problems, some small, some bigger, but we have to assess them,” Nuno said. “We have one day left and we will see if they can be available for the match.”
The manager acknowledged the unpredictable nature of the trio’s recovery process, underlining that any of them could still feature — or miss out — depending on how they respond to final fitness tests.
“We have high hopes for everyone. It could affect all of them, or none at all; we don’t know. It will all depend on their recovery and how they feel,” Nuno added.
Awoniyi, 28, has endured a stop-start campaign due to fitness issues but remains a vital part of Forest’s attacking setup when available.
His physicality and goal-scoring instinct offer the team a different dimension, especially in high-stakes matches like the one at Goodison Park.
With Elanga and Wood also under question, Forest may be forced into significant reshuffling in attack.
Elanga has brought pace and directness on the wing, while Wood has chipped in with important goals in Awoniyi’s absence.
The potential loss of all three would pose a selection dilemma for Nuno, who is trying to steer Forest clear of the relegation zone.
As the club prepares for a critical fixture in their survival bid, attention now turns to the medical team, whose final assessments could shape the team sheet — and possibly the outcome — at Everton.
For Forest supporters, all eyes will be on the club’s official channels in the lead-up to kick-off, with the hope that key names will make the squad list in time for a pivotal afternoon on Merseyside.
