Taiwo Awoniyi speaks out and is ‘still fighting’ after waking from coma

Taiwo Awoniyi is in good spirits after a nightmare week (Picture: Getty Images)

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi says he is grateful to ‘still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling’ after waking from an induced coma.

The 27-year-old was injured when he collided with the goalpost during Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City on last weekend.

He received lengthy treatment on the pitch before attempting to play on with manager Nuno Espirito Santo having already used their allotted substitutions.

After eventually being withdrawn from the game, the Nigeria international was taken to hospital, believed to have suffered a ruptured intestine during the incident.  

The former Liverpool forward underwent the first stage of his surgery on Monday before being placed in an induced coma to aid his recovery and regulate his heartbeat.

He underwent the second stage of the operation on Wednesday and was woken in the early evening.

Posting on social media on Sunday, ahead of Nottingham Forest’s trip to West Ham in the Premier League, Awoniyi said he is in good spirits as his recovery continues.

Awoniyi suffered the injury last weekend which was much worse than first thought (Picture: Getty Images)

‘This season has been one of the most difficult of my career but through it all, I have felt the love,’ he wrote.

‘With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.

‘To my teammates, coaches, staff and the entire Forest family, thank you for your well wishes, seeing you all on your visit to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say.

Morgan Gibbs-White paid tribute to his stricken teammate (Picture: Getty Images)

‘Wishing the boys the very best in these last two games, keep believing and keep pushing. I’m with you all the way and I can’t wait to be back out there with the boys doing what I love.

‘To my family, friends and football fans, thank you for the support, and to everyone back home in Nigeria who has checked in on me, prayed for me and left kind words, thank you. I see them. I feel them. And I carry them with me every day as I recover. Come on you Reds.’

Forest won 2-1 in east London on Sunday afternoon, with Morgan Gibbs-White scoring the opener and then holding an Awoniyi shirt aloft.

He told Sky Sports after the victory: ‘The whole week has been tough on everyone. Wednesday was our first day back in and the place was pretty lifeless, everyone was praying and wishing him well.

Nuno Espirito Santo’s side picked up a huge win at West Ham (Picture: Getty Images)

‘He’s come round on a good path, we’re all wishing him well and that win today was for him.’

Espirito Santo added: ‘Since the beginning of our preparations T was on our minds due to the seriousness of the situation, and the boys really wanted to do it for him.

‘That was our final words, “let’s give it a push”. He is someone we admire, his smile is contagious and the boys did it for him. We are so proud.’

The win for Forest at West Ham saw them stay seventh in the Premier League table and with the chance of snatching a Champions League place on the final game of the season next weekend.

They are level on points with Manchester City in sixth and one point adrift of Newcastle, Chelsea and Aston Villa who are 3-5 in the table.

Manchester City have a game in hand on their rivals, at home to Bournemouth on Tuesday night.