Nottingham footballer Taiwo Awoniyi undergoes emergency surgery and is in a coma after a serious on-field crash: video

Nottingham Forest's Nigerian striker Taiwo Awoniyi has undergone "emergency" surgery on an abdominal injury sustained following a collision during Sunday's match against Leicester , his club announced in a statement Tuesday.

The 27-year-old Nigerian international violently hit a post while trying to reach the ball in the 88th minute of the match, which ended in a 2-2 draw. The player was treated on the pitch, causing some concern.

This Tuesday, the team provided details of the player's condition. "The club confirms that Taiwo Awonyi underwent emergency surgery following the abdominal injury he sustained during Sunday's match against Leicester City," the club wrote in a statement, adding that it will provide more information "at the appropriate time."

After hitting the woodwork, Awoniyi received medical attention for several minutes and was able to finish the match, to the surprise of many, as Forest had made all their substitutions and were looking for a win to fight for a top-five finish in the Premier League and a place in the Champions League next season.

It wasn't until the following day that Forest's medical team confirmed the severity of the injury. The club also criticized the medical team that allowed the player to remain on the pitch.

The abdominal injury could have been fatal, as reported by the Daily Mail. Press reports in England indicate that the player is in an induced coma.

The decision to keep him on the pitch created tension between club owner Evangelos Marinakis and coach Nuno Espírito Santo, according to an image shared on social media at the end of the match.

Awoniyi, 27, is a Nigerian footballer. He plays as a forward for Nottingham Forest. He was part of the Nigeria U-17 squad that won the 2013 U-17 World Cup, scoring four goals. He has currently appeared in 26 league matches and started only three times. His scoring record is poor, with just one goal.