Forest Assure Fans Of  Taiwo Awoniyi’s Availability For Newcastle Tie

Forest Assure Fans Of  Taiwo Awoniyi’s Availability For Newcastle Tie

By Admin

Nottingham Forest’s head coach, Nuno Espírito Santo, has confirmed that Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi will be available for their Premier League clash against Newcastle on Sunday.

Taiwo Awoniyi suffered a broken nose during Nottingham Forest’s FA Cup win over Exeter City, which forced him to miss their Premier League game against Fulham, where another Nigerian International, Calvin Bassey, scored the winning goal to seal the double over Forest.

However, Nuno Espírito Santo announced in his pre-match press conference that Awoniyi has cleared the concussion protocol and will be available for the Newcastle game: “He’s clear after the concussion protocol so he’s available. He will have to wear a mask but he’s okay,” Nuno declared.

Nuno Espírito confirms Taiwo Awoniyi’s availability for Newcastle clash

“It’s always something that bothers (adjusting to the mask), but he’s trying to get used to it. Nico also uses the mask, it’s always bothering, but I think he (Awoniyi) will be okay,” the head coach added.

Nottingham Forest are under pressure to win after their 2-1 loss to Fulham jeopardized their top-four hopes. They currently sit third with 47 points, six points above seventh-placed Newcastle. As such, a loss would see Eddie Howe’s men move within three points of Forest with 12 games remaining.

Nottingham Forest will be also motivated to avenge their earlier defeat to Newcastle, having suffered a 3-1 loss in the reverse fixture, one of only two home defeats they’ve suffered this season.

Newcastle, on the other hand, will be aiming to secure all three points due to their European aspirations. Eddie Howe’s side are only four points above 10th-placed Brighton, and a loss could see them lose ground in the European qualification race.

The stage is set for a thrilling encounter between Eddie Howe’s Newcastle and Nuno Espírito’s Nottingham Forest, with both managers desperate to take their teams to the next level by qualifying for Europe.