Nottingham Forest players to show support for Taiwo Awoniyi against West Ham after striker entered induced coma following emergency surgery on potentially fatal injury
Nottingham Forest players are expected to show their support for injured forward Taiwo Awoniyi when they take on West Ham on Sunday.
Awoniyi underwent urgent surgery earlier this week on a serious abdominal injury and Forest were hopeful that the procedure would be completed on Wednesday. The Nigerian, who was placed in an induced coma, is ‘recovering well’ according to his club.
Understandably concerned at learning Awoniyi had been taken to hospital on Monday, Mail Sport understands the Forest squad were updated by club staff on their team-mate’s condition on Tuesday.
Despite the distressing circumstances, Forest are determined to end their campaign with two victories that may still give them an outside chance of qualifying for next season’s Champions League.
The disappointing home draw with already-relegated Leicester last weekend nevertheless guaranteed Forest a spot in Europe next term. But after spending so much of the season in the top five, Forest will still feel disappointed if they have to settle for a place in the Europa League or the Europa Conference League.
Meanwhile, lawmakers IFAB are under increasing pressure to revise their directives on the offside law following the serious injury to Awoniyi.
Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi underwent surgery earlier this week on a serious abdominal injury
The Nottingham Forest forward crashed into a post during Sunday’s 2-2 draw with Leicester
He needed several minutes of treatment but played on despite being in visible discomfort
Forest have claimed their owner Evangelos Marinakis entered the field after the match to express ‘deep care, responsibility and emotional investment’ in one of their own players
Awoniyi collided with a post as he tried to turn home Anthony Elanga’s cross in the closing moments against Leicester. Elanga was clearly offside at the start of the move, but was allowed to continue, as officials are advised to delay raising their flag when there is a clear goalscoring opportunity.
Mail Sport reported on Tuesday that while IFAB usually make changes to the laws at their annual meeting in spring, there is scope to make quicker alterations in certain cases.
Former Premier League referee Keith Hackett said: ‘With the introduction of VAR came the process of assistant referees delaying the flag to indicate offside until the outcome – either a goal or possession of the ball by the defence.
‘This is to ensure where the assistant referee makes an error on an offside decision, it doesn’t impact on the goal being ruled out incorrectly. Sadly, this practice does expose the risk to players of injury.’
