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By: Abiodun Adewale.
Taiwo Awoniyi being injured is an issue Nottingham Forest have usually not been able to cope with as records show how the Tricky Trees struggle in the Nigerian striker’s absence, PUNCH Sports Extra reports.
Few months after he recovered from a groin injury, the 26-year-old is back on the sidelines after undergoing surgery over the same problem, leaving Steve Cooper’s side struggling for bite upfront.
Awoniyi is feared to be out until next March, ruling him out of the AFCON for Nigeria in January and at least 15 Premier League matches for Forest as well as one FA Cup third round game.
Head coach Cooper highlighted his importance to the team after they were hit with the news of another long-term absence.
“He’s become an important player for us with the goals he’s scored. He’s such a good guy and a good professional who is desperate to do well, so to get an injury like this is harsh on him,” the coach said.
“We’ve got to support him through the process of coming back stronger.”
Awoniyi has already scored four Premier League goals and two assists in 10 appearances this season, amounting to 37.5 per cent of their goals contributions. He was named the club’s player of the month for August following his blistering start to the campaign.
So far, they have lost two games in his absence before their Wednesday night clash against Fulham, and the beat could go on, as it was last season when they only won three out of 15 games in his absence. The trend is likely as he could miss another 15-game this season.
Before his injury, they only lost one in six Premier League games, scoring in the last one — a 3-2 defeat at West Ham. His goal against the Hammers was his 10th in 14 games in the English topflight since January.
Since the start of last season, Awoniyi has contributed 27 per cent of Forests’ goals, only behind Erling Haaland (39 per cent), Harry Kane (32 per cent) and Mohammed Sallah (28 per cent) in the Premier League.
Last season, the Nigerian made up for the absence by turning up with six goals in the home stretch of the EPL to take his tally to 10 and also help Forest achieve topflight survival.
His impressive performance in the year also earned him a nomination for Nottingham Forest’s Fans’ Footballer of The Year 2023 award alongside Orel Mangala, Danilo and Morgan Gibbs-White.
Cooper can only hope Awoniyi delivers again on his return, just like he did last season and save them from any precarious situation they might have found themselves in.