Nuno: We need Taiwo Awoniyi back to his best

The Nigerian international missed a significant portion of the 2023-24 campaign due to a groin injury that necessitated surgery, and he has been utilized sparingly since his recovery.

Awoniyi made his first start of the new season in the 1-0 loss to Fulham on September 28. Although he was substituted at half-time, he impressed while playing alongside Chris Wood.

The 27-year-old striker has also been called up to the Super Eagles for the upcoming 2025 Africa Cup of Nations qualifying matches against Libya, and Nuno is hopeful that he will gain valuable playing time to improve his match fitness.

"All the strikers need that moment, but Taiwo did well (against Fulham). It's been a while since he started. He played 45 minutes and created a lot of situations," the Portuguese coach noted.

"We're counting on him. It was an option to put him alongside Wood. It's something we have to work on and improve because it can give us good results, but that was the first time [of using it]. I think he did well."

Nuno added, "Now it's about managing him. Now he goes to the national team. I hope he plays because what Taiwo needs is competition and to be competing. Hopefully when he returns he is another option for us."

He clarified that it's not just a matter of patience, but about proper management. "We have to assess him and we have to push him, which is what we are doing."

"He's doing extra work on the training ground to make up for the time he lost in pre-season. We have to manage him, but he's a very good player for us. It is a good option to have Taiwo 100 percent because he has proven before what he can do for the team."

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