By Korede James
Super Eagles striker Taiwo Awoniyi is set to start wearing a protective mask after he suffered a broken nose in Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup fourth round clash with Exeter City on Tuesday night.
The Nigeria international scored Forest’s second goal as they went on to win on penalties, but had an aerial collision with Exeter goalkeeper Joe Whitworth and had to be stretchered off the pitch after suffering a concussion and a broken nose.
As a result, just like his Super Eagles teammate Victor Osimhen, Awoniyi is set to start using a protection mask.
Osimhen started using a mask during his time at Napoli after suffering a nasty head injury in November 2021 and had three screws fused into his head.
Speaking on the injury, Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo said Awoniyi is already looking at the type of protective mask he would need.
“He broke his nose so he is in pain. We are waiting for the right protocols to be followed, we have to wait and see if he is available because of concussion,” the Portuguese was quoted on Nottingham Post ahead of Saturday’s English Premier League trip to Fulham.
“We have to be careful. He looks OK. He smiled. He is in pain, but in these situations, we have to be careful. The right protocols, two or three days to settle down and we’ll see if he is available.
“He is looking at his mask because it has to be the right measurements. He is waiting on that, but more than anything at this time, we are waiting on the clearance of the concussion protocols so I am not sure whether he is going to be available or not. We have to wait.”
Awoniyi could return for the fixture against against Newcastle United next Sunday.
