Nottingham Forest Hopeful as Awoniyi Nears Return for Newcastle Clash—But Should the Rules Be More Flexible?

Nottingham Forest manager, Nuno Espirito Santo, remains hopeful that star striker Taiwo Awoniyi will be fit for the club’s upcoming Premier League fixture against Newcastle United. The Nigerian forward was forced to sit out Forest’s 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage due to concussion protocols following a broken nose suffered in the FA Cup win over Exeter City.

Despite feeling fine, Awoniyi was unable to feature as the club awaited clearance from the Premier League’s strict concussion regulations. Speaking to Nottingham Post, Santo admitted the situation was frustrating but necessary.

“We didn’t have the clearance from the Premier League about the concussion protocols, so he was not able to go in the squad,” Santo explained. “He is feeling fine, it is about making sure we follow the protocols. He was okay, but we have to respect the protocols.”

A Sensible Rule or an Overly Cautious One?

While player safety should always come first, this incident raises an important debate—should there be more flexibility in concussion protocols when the player feels fine and medical staff are confident in their recovery?

The Premier League’s strict approach is understandable, especially given the long-term effects of head injuries. However, cases like Awoniyi’s, where the injury was primarily a broken nose rather than a direct concussion, could prompt discussions on whether exceptions should be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For Nottingham Forest, Awoniyi’s absence was felt as they struggled to break down Fulham. His return against Newcastle could provide a significant boost to their attacking options as they look to climb away from the relegation battle.

What do you think? Should the Premier League’s concussion rules remain rigid, or is there room for adjustments when players are deemed fit? Share your thoughts!