Nottingham Forest hopes striker Taiwo Awoniyi will be available for the weekend’s match against Newcastle United.
The forward was ruled out of the Reds’ 2-1 loss to Fulham owing to concussion protocols. He had been involved in a terrible accident near the end of Forest’s midweek FA Cup victory over Exeter City.
Awoniyi also broke his nose against the Grecians, but he has been fitted for a mask to wear whenever he is cleared to play again.
The protocols mean he is unable to feature for 12 days, but head coach Nuno Espirito Santo is hopeful the Nigerian will return for the visit to St James’ Park next Sunday.
“We didn’t have the clearance from the Premier League about the concussion protocols so he was not able to go in the squad,” Nuno said of Awoniy. “I hope he will be OK for the next one.
“He is feeling fine, it is about making sure we follow the protocols. He was OK but we have to respect the protocols.”
The Reds were boosted by the return of Callum Hudson-Odoi at Craven Cottage. The winger had missed the previous three games with a groin problem.
Back-up goalkeeper Carlos Miguel also suffered an injury against Exeter and is facing a few weeks on the sidelines. Wayne Hennessey stepped in to take the Brazilian’s place on the bench.
It was a second successive away defeat for Forest. They struggled to deal with balls into the box, with Emile Smith Rowe and Calvin Bassey heading in either side of a Chris Wood equaliser.
