Taiwo Awoniyi is poised to spearhead Nottingham Forest’s attack in their FA Cup quarter-final against Brighton & Hove Albion this Saturday. Manager Nuno Espirito Santo is set to rest the club’s top scorer, Chris Wood, who is nursing a hip injury sustained during New Zealand’s World Cup qualifying match against New Caledonia.
Wood, who has scored 18 goals in 29 Premier League appearances this season, was substituted in the 54th minute of the match. Despite celebrating New Zealand’s World Cup qualification, his fitness is uncertain, prompting Espirito Santo to prioritize league commitments in the upcoming busy schedule.
With Forest chasing a top-four finish in the Premier League, Awoniyi, who has had limited playing time this season, is likely to get the nod in place of Wood.
The Nigerian forward has made just six starts this season, half of which were in the FA Cup, and will be eager to capitalize on this opportunity to impress both club and country.
This FA Cup tie also holds significant weight for Forest, as they aim for their first semi-final appearance since 1959. However, with a packed fixture list, including a Premier League clash against Manchester United and a Midlands derby against Aston Villa, the cup clash provides Awoniyi with a golden chance to secure more first-team opportunities and boost his international prospects.
