Taiwo Awoniyi has become a major injury doubt for the Super Eagles 2026 World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Zimbabwe after the Nottingham Forest boss described his fitness situation as “50-50”.
Nottingham Forest manager Steve Cooper has said Awoniyi has aggravated a complicated injury and he is uncertain for Sunday afternoon’s Premier League clash against Aston Villa.
“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.
“It’s frustrating, for him more than anyone else. He was doing so well and this has 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 against Aston Villa. We hope he is, but it could go either way.”
Cooper continued: “I am not sure that he will need surgery down the line, but it is not a straightforward injury, it has also aggravated an injury he had last year. He can have indifferent days (with the injury) and it is annoying 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.
“The question of international duty is a conversation for next week. At the moment we are just focusing on what we might be able to get out of him.”
Awoniyi missed last month’s Super Eagles friendlies against Saudi Arabia and Mozambique in Portugal.
