Nottingham Forest gaffer Santo offers update on Taiwo Awoniyi’s fitness level

By Saheed Afolabi

Nottingham Forest manager, Nuno Espirito Santo has revealed the fitness level of striker, Taiwo Awoniyi despite making a scoring return against in a 2-0 win over 10-man West Ham United in the Premier League on Saturday.

Awoniyi had missed the Africa Cup of Nations in Cote d’Ivoire due to injury but finally made an impactful return from the sidelines, opening scoring on the stroke of halftime against the Hammers.

Despite scoring, the manager believes the Super Eagles forward is still struggling to attain full match fitness as he just returned to the pitch.

“Strikers are about scoring but for us it’s more than that. They have to work, they have to read the game,” Santo was quoted by BBC.

“When the moment comes put it inside the net. We know he’s struggling in terms of fitness, it’s up to us to manage him.”

Awoniyi bagged his sixth goal of the season against the Hammers as Hudson-Odoi sealed the win with a 90th minute goal.

The Forest are on 24 points from 25 matches and seat on the 15th position on the English Premier League log.

Aston Villa will host the Tricky Trees in their next encounter at the Villa Park on February 24 2024.