Taiwo Awoniyi will be absent from Nottingham Forest’s final Premier League fixture of the season after the Nigerian forward sustained a serious injury earlier this month.
The 27-year-old striker has been ruled out of Sunday’s home match against Chelsea at the City Ground following a ruptured intestinal tract suffered on 11 May.
Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espírito Santo confirmed Awoniyi’s unavailability during a pre-match media briefing.
“He’s doing much better,” Nuno told the Nottingham Post. “He’s now able to walk, and the medical team has told us that his diet is back to normal.
That’s a good sign of recovery, but he won’t be with us for this match.”
Although the Forest boss expressed uncertainty over whether Awoniyi would be able to attend the match in person, he reiterated that the striker’s health remains the club’s priority.
“I can’t say if he’ll be at the City Ground. That’s still something the medical staff are monitoring. But what matters is he’s recovering well.”
Awoniyi’s absence comes as a significant blow to Forest, who have relied on his physical presence and goal-scoring instincts throughout the campaign.
The Nigerian international has been a key figure for the East Midlands side, contributing crucial goals and performances since his arrival at the club.
The striker’s injury was described by the club as a ruptured intestinal tract, a rare and serious condition that has understandably sidelined him during a critical stage of the season.
His long-term prognosis appears positive, with medical staff encouraged by his progress in the days following the incident.
Despite the setback, Nuno emphasised the emotional importance of the upcoming match, noting that the team will be playing with Awoniyi in mind.
“It’s a big loss,” the Portuguese manager said. “This is something serious that happened to him, and we’re all thinking about him.”
He continued, “Sunday’s game will be for T. For Taiwo, for us, for the supporters, and for the whole city. We’ll go out there with that in our hearts.”
Nottingham Forest are aiming to end the season on a high note, with survival in the Premier League already secured.
The fixture against Chelsea presents an opportunity for the squad to pay tribute to a teammate whose contribution has extended far beyond the pitch.
Awoniyi joined Forest from Union Berlin in 2022 and has since become a fan favourite for his dedication and tenacity.
While the timing of his injury is unfortunate, both the player and the club remain optimistic about his return to full fitness in time for pre-season preparations.
In the meantime, Forest’s focus will be on honouring his efforts by delivering a strong performance in their final outing of the season.
As the players prepare to walk onto the pitch at the City Ground for one last time this campaign, the message is clear: they’ll be playing not just for points, but for “T”.
