Nottingham Forest’s head coach, Nuno Espirito Santo has voiced his dissatisfaction with forward Taiwo Awoniyi’s persistent fitness challenges following the player’s absence in their recent fixture against Luton Town.

Awoniyi, sidelined due to a muscle injury, has encountered recurring setbacks throughout the season due to prior injuries.

Manager Nuno Espirito Santo disclosed in a post-match interview with BBC Match of the Day that the Nigerian’s fitness woes have resurfaced yet again, further complicating the team’s attacking options.

“We need our strikers to finish and score,” emphasized the Portuguese coach. “Unfortunately, we’ve had a big blow with the fitness of Taiwo Awoniyi — he had a knock during the week so let’s see how he is—so hopefully Chris [Wood] stays well. It is important that we keep him fit.”

With Awoniyi’s availability uncertain, the 26-year-old forward faces significant doubt regarding his participation in Nigeria’s upcoming friendlies against Ghana and Mali.

These fixtures are scheduled to take place at the Grande de Marrakech stadium in Morocco later this month, potentially forcing Nigeria to make a late change to the squad.