Peseiro gets Awoniyi boost ahead of WCQ as Super Eagles star is named in Nottingham Forest starting XI

Taiwo Awoniyi has given Nigeria manager Jose Peseiro a boost ahead of the upcoming 2026 World Cup qualifying matches against Lesotho and Zimbabwe, with his inclusion in Nottingham Forest's starting lineup for their Premier League meeting with Aston Villa at the City Ground on Sunday afternoon. 

Speaking at the pre-match press conference, Forest boss Steve Cooper suggested that the Super Eagles striker was in a complex situation with a niggling groin strain and his availability for the Aston Villa game was uncertain. 

The former Liverpool center forward passed a fitness test before the visit of Aston Villa, paving the way for him to included in the starting lineup alongside Ola Aina,  another player in contention to be named in the Super Eagles squad for their November internationals 

Cooper had no choice but to include his number 9 in the starting lineup due to his limited options at the top end of the pitch, with  Callum Hudson-Odoi, Divock Origi and Chris Wood sidelined by injuries. 

Awoniyi is making his first start for Nottingham Forest since the 1-1 draw with Brentford on October 1.

Peseiro has been keeping tabs on the fitness of his players before his squad announcement for the World Cup qualifiers.

Two players who have been ruled out in a blow to Peseiro's plans are Napoli striker Victor Osimhen (hamstring) and Leicester City midfielder Wilfred Ndidi (muscle discomfort), 

Awoniyi withdrew with the Nigeria squad for their international friendlies with Saudi Arabia and Mozambique last month. 

Ifeanyi Emmanuel 

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