Nottingham Forest coach explains why Awoniyi was absent from squad against Luton Town

Nottingham Forest manager Nuno Espirito Santo has explained that his decision to omit Taiwo Awoniyi from the matchday squad for the Premier League clash with Luton Town was due to a minor injury.

It has come to light that the Super Eagles striker suffered a knock in the buildup to the trip to Kenilworth Road.

Awoniyi is back in the Nigeria fold having been recalled for the upcoming internationals against Ghana and Mali but his participation in both games is now hanging in the balance. 

The former Liverpool man has been slightly overused since recovering from the injury he suffered while on international duty with the Super Eagles in a World Cup qualifier against Lesotho, starting five from a possible nine games in league and cup.

Nuno Espirito Santo needs all his strikers to be firing on all cylinders as the two-time European champions find themselves in a relegation scrap with nine matches to go until the end of the season. 

Speaking on his side's missed chances versus the Hatters, the Portuguese told BBC Match of the Day: "We need our strikers to finish and score.

"Unfortunately, we've had a big blow with the fitness of Taiwo Awoniyi - he had a knock during the week so let's see how he is - so hopefully Chris [Wood] stays well. It is important that we keep him fit."

Awoniyi was in outstanding form at the start of the season, either scoring or assisting in each of his first five games in the Premier League.

Igho Kingsley 

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