Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi, has issued an update on his horror injury in a positive statement.
Awoniyi was put in an induced coma earlier this week, and is recovering well after undergoing urgent surgery to repair a ruptured intestine, which could have been life-threatening.
The Nottingham Forest striker crashed into a post during Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester last week and, following several minutes of treatment, returned to action before being taken off.
Awoniyi could not be substituted because Forest had used their last available substitute to replace Elliot Anderson with Jota Silva. The forward tried to carry on, but was unable to move properly as Forest chased a late winner.
Coach Nuno Espirito Santo revealed before Sunday’s game that Awoniyi will remain in hospital for at least a few more days, meaning he was unable to journey to east London in support of his team-mates.
Awoniyi wrote: ‘This season has been one of the most difficult of my career, but through it all, I have felt the love. 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. 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.’
Before facing West Ham, Forest’s squad warmed up in blank white shirts, with the words, ‘We’re all with you Taiwo’ on the front, and Awoniyi’s name and No. 9 on the back.
After Morgan Gibbs-White opened the scoring in the game, he held up Awoniyi’s shirt in celebration.
