NOTTINGHAM FOREST’S Taiwo Awoniyi needed emergency surgery on an abdominal injury after smashing into a post against Leicester.
The striker had several minutes of treatment following a sickening collision late in but returned to carry on.
And it was only on Monday that medical staff discovered the full extent of his problem.
The Nigerian, 27, was then taken to hospital for surgery.
The end of the derby match was on the pitch.
And it was later revealed ‘s condition was at the centre of that heated exchange.
Marinakis claimed he was angered by the decision not to substitute the frontman.
Instead Awoniyi was able to come back on the field after medical attention – even completing the match.
He’d looked in obvious discomfort after stretching to meet ‘s cross but sliding into the base of the post.
After the draw Nuno blamed a “misunderstanding”;; for Awoniyi returning to action.
He said: “It was disappointing for everybody.
“Unfortunately, we had to play the last 10 minutes with one man less. Taiwo gave it a go but it was too painful for him to really push and help the team.
“There was a misunderstanding between the coaching staff and the medical department.We had the heads up to make a sub, then Taiwo tried but could not [run properly].”;;
Nuno added: “[We feel] disappointment and frustration of course. But it is because of the owner and his passion that we are growing as a club.
“He pushes us. He wants us to be better... 30,000 people felt the same. For sure, many of them would go on the pitch and shake us down. We owe a lot to the Marinakis family.”;;
Marinakis played down the flare-up – focusing on Forest qualifying for Europe.
But he did say: “Everybody – coaching staff, players, supporters and including myself – we were frustrated around the injury of Taiwo and the medical staff’s misjudgment on Taiwo’s ability to continue the game.
“This is natural. This is a demonstration of the passion we feel for our club.Let’s all be grateful, passionate and keep on dreaming!”;;
THIS IS A DEVELOPING STORY..
