The Nigeria international suffered the injury after colliding with the goalpost during Forest's 2-2 draw with Leicester City on Sunday.

Awoniyi entered the match as a second-half substitute but was left in clear discomfort after the incident. Despite receiving on-field treatment and signaling he was able to continue, the 27-year-old struggled for the remainder of the match, effectively leaving Forest with ten men during the closing stages.

Forest later confirmed Awoniyi underwent "urgent" surgery on Monday and was placed in an induced coma to assist his recovery by limiting movement and stabilizing vital functions. A second procedure is scheduled for Wednesday. The club said the forward is "recovering well."

Tensions flared post-match, with Forest owner Evangelos Marinakis visibly frustrated as he entered the pitch to confront manager Nuno Espirito Santo. The disagreement centered around a miscommunication between the coaching staff and medical team regarding Awoniyi's fitness to continue.

"Taiwo said he could carry on, so I made the final substitution," said Espirito Santo, who brought on Jota Silva for Elliot Anderson in stoppage time. "Unfortunately, he wasn't OK and we were left a man down."

Forest addressed the incident in an official statement, backing Marinakis' pitch-side intervention and framing it as a show of emotional investment.

"In moments like that, he demonstrates his leadership, not just through words, but through action and presence," the statement read.

"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."

Marinakis recently relinquished his position as a person with significant control at Forest to comply with UEFA regulations. He also serves as president of Olympiakos, who have qualified for the Champions League as Greek champions. Under UEFA rules, clubs with the same owner cannot both participate in European competitions if that owner has "decisive influence" over both.

Nottingham Forest remain firmly in the hunt for a top-five finish, which would secure Champions League qualification. With two games remaining - away to West Ham and home to Chelsea - they sit seventh, just one point behind fifth-placed Chelsea.

As the season reaches its climax, Forest's European aspirations remain alive - but the club's immediate focus is firmly on the recovery of one of their key players.

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