It was in the away match against AIK on Sunday that the scary scenes unfolded after just a few minutes.

Degerfors' Alfie Whiteman went out to stop a cross when he was hit in the head by AIK star Nabil Bahoui's knee.

The Englishman was knocked unconscious and was lying face down on the grass.

After a long time, the goalkeeper was able to stand up and be led off the pitch, into the dressing room.

There he received help from both Degerfors and AIK's medical staff, before he was driven home to Örebro later in the evening.

- He had a concussion and as everyone could see he was unconscious, he was gone for 20 seconds something.

Afterwards, it has been about brain rest and we have regular contact to see how he is doing.

He has been given homework to work on, for example to test how much noise and light he can tolerate, but as long as the symptoms don't get worse, you move on to the next step in the brain ladder, Degerfors' physiotherapist Natalie Morgenstern explains to SVT Sport.

"Can always be a setback"

Whiteman has not participated in any training sessions with the team this week, but on Wednesday he completed a stress test on the bike.

- He passed that test, so things are progressing and he is doing relatively well and is following the brain ladder.

Then there can always be setbacks, so you should never shout hello.

There are examples of people who recover superbly in the beginning and then suddenly have a setback, says Morgenstern.

Meet the series leader next

As there is a national team break in the Allsvenskan, Degerfors does not play its next match until October 1, at home against league leader Djurgården.

It is currently unclear if Whiteman will be back by then.

However, he has not had a concussion in the past, which is a mitigating circumstance.

- I don't want to guess, but in the best of all worlds there is a theoretical chance that he will be back by then.

The minimum absence for a concussion is about a week of recovery, but there can also be setbacks.

Each concussion is unique in its nature and they do not follow the same pattern, says Natalie Morgenstern.

She also gives positive news about the outfield players Ronald Mukiibi and Anton Kralj, who are both in the process of ball training.

- The plan is for their training to be stepped up going forward.

They are underway.

SEE ALSO: Shared pot between AIK and Degerfors - see highlights here

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AIK were booed by their own fans after 1–1 against Degerfors.

Photo: Jesper Zerman/Bildbyrån