Story Summary
Tim Barkemo is expected to be available for Saturday’s home meeting with Skellefteå after going off injured against Rögle.
Head coach Mikael Gath offered the encouraging update on Barkemo, whose condition had prompted concern following Thursday’s 1-4 match. Gath said there should be no danger with Barkemo and that the team expects him to be able to play.
Lucas Forsell’s position is less clear. Forsell also left the Rögle game, but Gath said illness was the immediate reason he was kept in Ängelholm rather than travelling home with the team. He is unavailable, and his injury had not been examined at the time of the update.
Gath said the hope is that Forsell’s injury will not prove serious, but no firmer assessment was available.
Key Facts
- Head coach Mikael Gath expects Tim Barkemo to be able to play in Saturday’s home meeting with Skellefteå.
- Barkemo and Lucas Forsell both left the game against Rögle injured.
- Gath said Barkemo should not be in danger after concerns over his condition following Thursday’s 1-4 match.
- Forsell was left in Ängelholm because he was ill and did not travel home with the team.
- Forsell is unavailable, and his injury had not yet been examined.
- Gath said the team hopes Forsell’s injury is not serious.
IHM Discussion
The update draws a clear distinction between the two cases. Barkemo has received a positive availability indication from Gath despite the concern created by his exit against Rögle. Forsell, by contrast, is unavailable because illness prevented his return journey and has also delayed examination of the injury.
That means Barkemo is the only player of the pair placed in the expected-to-play category for the Skellefteå fixture. Forsell’s status remains unresolved until he can be assessed.
Why It Matters
For the immediate home meeting with Skellefteå, Gath’s comments provide reassurance over Barkemo without overstating the situation. The coach’s wording is that he is expected to be able to play, rather than confirmation that he will take part.
Forsell’s absence has a separate, more uncertain context. Illness has kept him away from the group, while the injury assessment has not yet been completed. Until that examination takes place, there is no confirmed indication of the nature or extent of his injury.
Mini Q&A
Will Tim Barkemo play against Skellefteå?
Mikael Gath said Barkemo is expected to be able to play in Saturday’s home meeting with Skellefteå.
Why is Lucas Forsell unavailable?
Forsell was left in Ängelholm because he was ill, and his injury had not yet been examined. Gath said he is unavailable.