Medical reason why Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed in induced coma as Nottingham Forest provide update on striker

The reason why Nottingham Forest forward Taiwo Awoniyi has been placed into an induced coma has become clearer.

Awoniyi, 27, collided with the post in the 88^th minute of Nottingham Forest’s 2-2 draw with Leicester City in the Premier League at the City Ground on Sunday (May 11).

He had surgery on a serious abdominal injury on Monday evening (May 12), with the rest of the procedure said to be planned for later today (May 14).

Forest released a statement via their website on Tuesday (May 13), which read: “Nottingham Forest can confirm that Taiwo Awoniyi is recovering well so far following urgent surgery on a serious abdominal injury sustained during Sunday’s match against Leicester City.

“The seriousness of his injury is a powerful reminder of the physical risks in the game, and why a player’s health and well-being must always come first. At Nottingham Forest, this principle is not just policy for us; it is the deeply held belief and conviction of our owner. To Evangelos Marinakis, this isn’t just a football club — it’s family – and he instils that message in all of us.

“That is why he was so personally and emotionally invested in the situation that unfolded at the City Ground on Sunday. His reaction was one of deep care, responsibility, and emotional investment in one of our own. He didn’t just see it as an isolated incident, but as something that reflected the values and unity of the entire team.”

Taiwo Awoniyi collided with the post (Credit:Getty)

So why has the Nigerian been placed into a coma?

According to the NHS, patients can be placed “temporarily” placed into an ‘induced coma’ to “facilitate therapies”.

The NHS explain: “When a patient is critically unwell and needs to go onto a ventilator for any reason, there are a series of steps that are followed in order to do this safely. Ventilation is often started in response to an emergency, or sudden deterioration, and therefore it is not always possible to update family/next of kin until after the procedure has been performed and the patient is safe, which may be up to a few hours later.

“As soon as the need for ventilation arises, a team of critical care staff comprising specialist doctors and nurses is assembled and use well practiced drills and checklists to ensure all the correct staff, equipment and medications are present. The patient is given high concentrations of oxygen to breathe, and when everything is ready, anaesthetic drugs are given through a drip to make the patient fall asleep. A special tube is then inserted into the mouth and down towards the lungs. This is then connected to a ventilator which essentially takes over the work of breathing – please see the associated video for a more detailed explanation regarding this.

"Patients are only kept in an induced coma for as long as is required, which can range from a matter of hours to several weeks. Anaesthetic medicines are infused through drips, and the experienced nursing team monitor and adjust the rates of these infusions according to several factors.

"An induced coma is not a specific treatment for any illness – it is merely a requirement for being able to offer a patient ventilation, which is itself only a form of breathing support to give the body time to recover from whatever insult it has sustained.”

There is no suggestion that the player's condition is life-threatening.