Jason Kennedy will be hoping for further good news tomorrow after his surprise return to the Carlisle United squad.

The midfielder is set to see a specialist as he seeks the green light to step up training ahead of a full first-team comeback.

Sheridan said he was never likely to bring the 32-year-old off the bench at Lincoln despite including Kennedy in a United squad for the first time in 410 days.

The popular midfielder is on the way back from a pelvis problem with January earmarked for a full return.

Asked about Kennedy’s inclusion, Sheridan said: “It’s because we were short on numbers.

“Jason’s been training with us all week, and I thought [I’d] get [him] back in the mix.

“I was never gonna bring him on. I think Jason was frightened I was gonna bring him on! I just wanted him to get back involved in the matchday situation.

“He goes to see the specialist on Tuesday. He’s been joining in training, is getting fitter and fitter, so hopefully he’ll get good news and they’ll tell him to step it up again.”

Sheridan, meanwhile hopes Jamie Devitt will only face a short lay-off after aggravating a calf problem in training.

United will also assess Jerry Yates, who came off at half-time with a hip injury. “We’re short on bodies but we need to get one or two of them back,” Sheridan added.