Nottingham Forest star stretchered off with ‘horrific’ injury after collision

Nottingham Forest striker Taiwo Awoniyi was stretchered off with a ‘horrific’ injury after colliding with Exeter City’s goalkeeper.

Forest travelled to League One side Exeter City in the fourth round of the FA Cup on Tuesday night in an action packed game.

Unfortunately, the game was overshadowed as a serious injury to Awoniyi halted the game for more than 10 minutes.

The Forest striker went up to challenge Exeter’s goalkeeper Joe Whitworth but was caught in the face by the keeper’s elbow. Awoniyi was left on the floor and was eventually taken off the field 10 minutes later after receiving treatment from the medical staff.

Thankfully, it was confirmed by BBC Sport that, although groggy, Awoniyi had managed to walk back to the dressing room from the medical room. Fans sent their best wishes to the striker on social media.

One user on X wrote: “Pray for Awoniyi, that looked horrific”. A second said: “Hopefully Awoniyi is ok and our thoughts are with him.” While a third added: “Hope Awoniyi is ok.”

Ten minutes of added time were originally signalled to be played at the end of the second half, but the full-time whistle was eventually blown in the 23rd minute of additional time. The enthralling game ended 2-2 and went to extra time.

Josh Magennis put the hosts ahead before Ramon Sosa levelled for the Premier League side and Awoniyi turned the game around less than ten minutes from half-time. Magennis got the hosts back on level terms as the third-tier side made it to extra-time despite going down to 10 men when Ed Turns was sent off.

A goalless extra half an hour saw Exeter take their Premier League opponents all the way to penalties. However, the League One side were finally bested from 12 yards, with Forest winning 4-2 to set up a fifth round tie against Ipswich Town next month.