Awoniyi seen for first time since horror injury as he receives hero’s welcome

TAIWO AWONIYI received a hero's welcome on his return to the City Ground as he watched Nottingham Forest's bid for a Champions League return.

Awoniyi was back in the Forest stadium for the first time since his horror injury that had seen him put in a coma for a abdominal operation.

The Forest striker was paraded out on to the playing surface pre-match where fans inside the stadium gave him a huge cheer to welcome him back.

Awoniyi remains injured but was watching on as his teammates tried to secure a Champions League place against Chelsea.

The 27-year-old has suffered an abdominal injury against Leicester City earlier this month.

The Nigerian went under the knife last Monday and was subsequently placed into an induced coma in order to regulate his heart rate and movement.

Following a successful operation, Awoniyi is now back on his feet and well enough to be present at the huge clash for European football.

Both Forest and Chelsea are battling it out alongside Newcastle, Aston Villa and Manchester City for the three remaining Champions League spots in the Premier League on the final day.

Awoniyi wished his teammates luck in a statement on social media last week.

It read: "This season has been one of the most difficult of my career but through it all, I have felt the love.

"With the grace of God, I am grateful to still be here, to still be fighting, to still be smiling, and to be in good spirits.

"To my team-mates, coaches, staff and the entire Forest family, thank you for your well wishes, seeing you all on your visit to the hospital lifted my spirits more than words can say.

"Wishing the boys the very best in these last two games, keep believing and keep pushing. I’m with you all the way and I can’t wait to be back out there with the boys doing what I love.

"To my family, friends and football fans, thank you for the support, and to everyone back home in Nigeria who has checked in on me, prayed for me and left kind words, thank you.

"I see them. I feel them. And I carry them with me every day as I recover. Come on you Reds."

Unfortunately for Awoniyi and his Forest teammates, they were unable to secure a dream return to the Champions League.

A 1-0 defeat to Chelsea meant that Forest couldn't finish inside the top five and were instead resigned to a seventh place finish.

But their superb season won't go entirely unrewarded as they will still return to Europe for the first time since 1996 - earning a place in the Conference League.