'His situation is complex' - Nott’m Forest boss Cooper shares Awoniyi fitness update

Nottingham Forest coach Steve Cooper has stated that Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi is still struggling with a niggling injury, but he could feature against Aston Villa this weekend, Soccernet reports.

Awoniyi has been outstanding for Forest since he joined the club last year. Unfortunately, injuries have been unkind to him. Last season, the Nigerian striker started well, but he sustained an injury before the turn of the year, and he had to sit out over three months. However, upon his return, he put up a stellar finish to the campaign, scoring six goals in his last four games to help the Tricky Trees stay afloat in the Premier League.

This season, he has been struggling with injuries from the onset. However, it came to a head just before the international break, as he was ruled out of the game against Crystal Palace barely hours before kickoff.

The Super Eagles striker missed three weeks because of this injury. However, he returned to action at Liverpool last week, coming off the bench in the 68th minute.

Nottingham Forest welcome Aston Villa to City Ground this weekend, and ahead of the game, Cooper has revealed that Awoniyi may not play an important part in the game because of an injury.

“Taiwo is a player we have to manage. He’s in a bit of a complex situation with his injury. It’s an ongoing one, and it will be for a little while,” Cooper said per Nottingham Post.

“It’s frustrating, for him more than anyone else. He was doing so well, and this has really held him back.

“It’s not been as simple as he’s back training and he’s fully fit. It’s something that is going to be a managing process for a little bit of time now.

“We’ll see if he is available for the weekend. We hope he is, but it could go either way.”

“I am not sure that he will need surgery down the line, but it is not a straightforward injury he has. It also aggravated an injury he had last year. He can have indifferent days (with the injury), and it is an annoying one for him.

“It is something we will have to take day-by-day. He has good support around him, in terms of the medical staff we have, and hopefully he will be able to play more often than not.”

Nottingham Forest have not won any of their last six fixtures. They desperately need a win to avoid dropping into the relegation zone.