Nottingham Forest supervisor Nuno Espirito Santo has stated he’s ready for Taiwo Awoniyi to be allowed extra guests in hospital and is aware of the 27-year-old is “properly” following two stomach operations throughout an induced coma.
Awoniyi was critically injured when he collided with a publish throughout Forest’s 2-2 draw at house to Leicester Metropolis on Sunday however the Nigeria worldwide has been woken from a coma and will “be round” the squad throughout the ultimate week of the Premier League season, Santo believes.
“I’ll attempt to go to as quickly as attainable,” stated Santo, including that Awoniyi is required to spend at the very least 5 days beneath remark.
“He’s in good palms and his household are there, which is what he actually wants. The gamers are continuously chatting on the teams. We all know that he’s properly – he simply wants time.”
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Taiwo Awoniyi harm: Forest ahead ‘great boy’
Former Liverpool and Union Berlin ahead Awoniyi was admitted on Monday night time, positioned in a coma on Tuesday and awoken on Wednesday.
“I hope that subsequent week he can be part of us and be round, as a result of he’s a beautiful boy,” stated Santo. “This season has been so arduous on him, so we simply really feel so sorry for him.
“The surgical procedure went properly, thank God, so he’s on remark now. He’s recovering. We nonetheless have to attend for the medical doctors to permit visits. His household are there. We’re involved however we’re optimistic.
“If I needed to change one thing, it will be – if we knew the seriousness of the harm – to name the ambulance to take T to the hospital instantly. However none of us knew that.”
“He’s a beautiful boy.” ❤️
Nuno with an replace on Taiwo. 🗣️
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 16, 2025
Santo: Referees have ‘directions to comply with’
The incident came about whereas play was allowed to go on earlier than an offside determination was confirmed, growing debate round whether or not the foundations must be modified to permit assistant referees to cease play sooner.
Santo stated the officers couldn’t be “blamed” for what had occurred as a result of the “legislation is like that” and referees have “directions to comply with”.
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett stated this week that the protocol over Video Assistant Referee (VAR) opinions can endanger gamers.
“With the introduction of VAR got here the method of assistant referees delaying the flag to point offside till the result – both a purpose or possession of the ball by the defence,” Hackett informed Radio 5 Reside, through BBC Sport.
“That is to make sure when the assistant referee makes an error on an offside determination, it doesn’t impression on the purpose being dominated out incorrectly. Sadly, this observe does expose the danger to gamers of harm.”
Our ultimate away journey of the season. 🛣️ pic.twitter.com/M4D2XjPOSP
— Nottingham Forest (@NFFC) May 16, 2025
West Ham vs Forest
Forest go to sixth-bottom West Ham on Sunday (14:15 BST) earlier than internet hosting Chelsea on the ultimate day on Could 25 (16:00) in a sport that might resolve which of the 2 golf equipment qualifies for the Champions League.
“It’s been very tough on us and on everybody, due to the harm [Awoniyi] had and the state of affairs he went by,” stated Santo.
“It has been arduous on us. We’ve got to maneuver ahead now. We can not settle for that in any case we’ve been doing, now our consideration will not be on what is de facto necessary – the sport in opposition to West Ham.
“It’s tougher, particularly due to the absence of T and the priority of the gamers. They’ve been attempting to get information.
“It upsets all people. We might change the whole lot to have T wholesome with us. However we’ve to maneuver ahead. It’s our obligation to organize for the sport.”
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Premier League desk: Forest goal Champions League
Forest have dropped to seventh after a three-game winless league run and are assured to complete in at the very least that place.
Arguably the shock packages of the top-flight season, Santo’s aspect are a degree behind the Blues within the fifth and ultimate Champions League qualification spot and three shy of fourth-placed Manchester Metropolis, though each of these groups have a major purpose superiority over them.
They’re sure to realize their highest league end since 1994/95, after they got here third.
Earlier than the penultimate spherical of Premier League matches, statistics specialists Opta gave Forest a 17.1% probability of ending within the high 5.
Opta reckon Forest have a 59.4% probability of coming seventh, 23.4% for sixth, 13.1% for fifth and 0.4% of third, with Chelsea the crew they deem most definitely to occupy the final Champions League qualification place.
Have Forest ever been within the Champions League?
Forest have by no means reached the trendy Champions League however gained the competitors in 1978/79 and 1979/80, when it was known as the European Cup.
Their final European Cup participation was in 1980/81, with all three of their continental campaigns since then coming within the Uefa Cup, which is now often known as the Europa League.
Most lately, they got here by three Uefa Cup rounds to achieve the quarter-finals in 1995/96, dropping 7-2 on mixture to Bayern Munich.
