Nottingham Forest boss Steve Cooper has confirmed that Taiwo Awoniyi has returned to training and is ready to help the Reds.
The head coach was delivering the news during his pre-match press conference ahead of Saturday’s game with Wolves.
Awoniyi hasn’t played for Forest since January 4th when he scored the winner against Southampton but then limped off.
The 25-year-old has been sorely missed by the Reds and they’ve started to slide down the Premier League table in recent weeks.
This news does come as a timely boost to Forest, with Cooper confirming earlier today that Chris Wood is out for the season.
Awoniyi signed for the Reds from Union Berlin in the summer. He cost the club £17 million and had scored five goals before injury struck.
The Nigerian international was just getting up to speed when he injured his groin. Now, he will aim to make up for lost time when he does return.
Cooper wouldn’t be drawn on when he will be back on the pitch. However, he did claim that he was back in full training and looking in good shape.
He told Nottinghamshire Live: “He’s back now. He looks sharp. He definitely looks motivated and excited to be involved again.
“We look forward to reintroducing him, whenever that may be.
“We obviously have to be careful with him, because he’s been out for a long while; we have to respect that. It’s just good to have him back on the training ground.”
Awoniyi returned to training and Cooper needs him back
It’s all good and well Cooper saying he needs to be careful with him but Forest are sleepwalking back towards the bottom three.
The Reds need to get their talisman back onto the pitch and get him wreaking havoc like he was before his injury.
Awoniyi is a strong player and he was holding down the spot on the left-hand side of the front three earlier this year.
If Awoniyi is fit and ready to go, he must come into the team this weekend, with Forest desperate for three points.
Receive a digest of our best Nottingham Forest content each week direct to your mailbox
