Taiwo Awoniyi: How long will Super Eagles star be sidelined after horrific head injury?

Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a horrific head injury in Nottingham Forest’s penalty shoot-out win over Exeter City last week, and he has been out of action since then, Soccernet.ng reports.

The injury happened after he collided with Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth while trying to contest for an aerial ball. That automatically ended Awoniyi’s participation in the fixture, as he was stretchered off the pitch after receiving treatment from the medics for over ten minutes on the pitch.

Taiwo Awoniyi being stretchered off (photo credit: Imago)

Due to the injury, Awoniyi missed the Tricky Trees’ last Premier League game against Fulham at Craven Cottage. Nottingham Forest eventually lost that game 2-1. But his absence was felt, as coach Nuno Espírito Santos would have introduced him into the game when Forest were chasing the game in the last 15 minutes.

Awoniyi has a terrible injury record at Nottinghame Forest, and there have been fears that he would be out for a long time due to the injury.

Exeter City v Nottingham Forest, Exeter, UK – 11 Feb 2025 Joe Whitworth, Goalkeeper of Exeter City clashes with Taiwo Awoniyi of Nottingham Forest during the Emirates FA cup 4th round match between Exeter City and Nottingham Forest at St James Park, Devon on 11 February 2025. Exeter St James Park Devon GBR Copyright: xLukexWilliams/PPAUKx PPA-165899

However, according to a recent report by 1865 TNFP Awoniyi could be back in action for Nottingham Forest’s game against Newcastle this weekend. The Super Eagles star has a broken nose and could need a face mask to protect himself.

Striker Taiwo Awoniyi will be available to play against Newcastle on Sunday, despite recently breaking his nose #NFFC pic.twitter.com/B5Tlybesxv

— 1865: The Nottingham Forest Podcast (@nottm_forest) February 18, 2025

Despite his reduced minutes, Taiwo Awoniyi is still important for Nottingham Forest

Taiwo Awoniyi and Nuno Espirito Santo (photo credit: Imago)

Taiwo Awoniyi has struggled for minutes this season due to Chris Wood’s impressive form, which has seen him score 18 goals in the Premier League.

Still, he is a reliable deputy or even an alternative. Wood is the obvious first choice, but Awoniyi could get minutes if the New Zealand striker gets injured.

Also, he could be introduced whenever Nottingham Forest need an extra striker in situations where they are chasing the game.

Nonetheless, Awoniyi will have his eyes outside. A striker of his quality would prefer to be the first choice at any club. As such, he might move to another club in the summer.