Wycombe Wanderers have cleared the air on defender Anders Hagelskjær’s condition, with head coach Michael Duff confirming the Danish centre‑back is only dealing with stiff Achilles tendons and is close to full match fitness after the 3‑1 pre‑season victory over Portsmouth.
What did the injury update reveal?
Duff explained that Hagelskjær’s slow start after the half‑hour break was not a fresh knock but a lingering Achilles issue. The physios did not flag any new problem, and the coach added that both Hagelskjær and midfielder Dan Casey have been training all summer but have yet to complete a full 90‑minute run. Their progress is described as “getting close to where we need them to be.”
How does this affect Wycombe’s squad depth?
The news eases concerns for fans who saw Hagelskjær hobble off the pitch at the 68‑minute mark. Since joining from Molde in January 2025, the former record signing has logged 35 appearances, 33 of them last season, and scored once against Reading. With the club sitting 11th in League One (63 pts, 17W‑12D‑17L) and a goal difference of +11 (69 scored, 58 conceded), having both players near full fitness bolsters a squad that is still 40 points behind leaders Lincoln.
What’s next for the recovering players?
Both men are expected to feature more prominently in upcoming friendlies as Duff fine‑tunes his options ahead of the new season. Hagelskjær’s last competitive outing was a February 28 match against Burton Albion, where he left before the hour mark after a collision involving former goalkeeper Will Norris. Casey, meanwhile, has been on the sidelines since a similar timing issue with his own injury. Their gradual return should give Duff more flexibility in midfield and defence.
Why the update matters now?
With the league campaign looming, Wycombe Wanderers need every available player to close the gap to the top. The club’s recent form (WLLDL) shows inconsistency, and the absence of key personnel could stall any push for a higher table finish. Duff’s reassurance that there is no new setback provides a morale boost and signals that the team is on track to field a stronger XI when the season kicks off.
