Nottingham Forest and Super Eagles striker, Taiwo Awoniyi has been ruled out of the 2024 Africa Cup of Nations tournament in Ivory Coast after picking up aggravating his groin injury in the Super Eagles’ 1-1 draw with Lesotho in Uyo last week.

The Nigerian striker has since undergone surgery and will be out for months according to Forest coach Steve Cooper.

Speaking ahead of the Tricky Trees clash against Brighton and Hove Albion in Saturday, Cooper said, “It’s bad news on Taiwo, he’s had to have surgery and he is going to be out for months.

“We’ll support him and try to get him back as quick and as fit as he can be, but it’s a really unfortunate situation and a blow for him.

“He’s become an important player for us with the goals he’s scored and the goals he will score for us, but he’s such a good guy and a good professional who is desperate to do well, so to get an injury like this is harsh on him.

“We’ve got to support him through the process of coming back stronger. He’s done that once before here and I’m sure he will give everything again like he did last time.

“You think about how well he did when he returned last season, I’m sure that’s given him a good reference point to come back to.

“We’ll definitely see him again this season, but it’s groin surgery so it will take a little while.”

Awoniyi, who has scored four goals in 11 Premier League appearances for Forest this season, will now spend an extended spell on the sidelines.