Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi has reportedly regained consciousness after being placed in an induced coma following emergency surgery for a serious abdominal injury, according to Newspremises.
The Nigerian international sustained the injury during the closing moments of Forest’s 2-2 draw against Leicester City on Sunday, after colliding with the goalpost.
The impact caused a ruptured intestine, prompting immediate hospitalisation on Monday, where doctors carried out the initial phase of a complex surgical procedure.
On Tuesday, Awoniyi was placed in an induced coma to allow for close monitoring. The second phase of the operation was successfully completed on Wednesday, and he was subsequently brought out of the coma.
Speaking to BBC Sport, consultant colorectal surgeon Professor Gillian Tierney described the injury as extremely serious and potentially life-threatening.
“It’s the kind of injury that can easily be missed at first, especially in an athlete running on adrenaline. It might take several hours before it’s identified. Even with a CT scan, diagnosis can take up to 10 hours,” Tierney explained.
She added that internal fluid leakage from the intestine is not always immediately detectable, making such cases particularly dangerous.
