Carlisle United are facing an anxious wait to learn the seriousness of the injury that has sidelined captain Morgan Feeney.

The defender will see a specialist tomorrow over a heel injury that could see him facing a lay-off.

Manager Paul Simpson said there is a chance it could be a serious problem – but, with things currently inconclusive, is holding out hope that it could yet be a minor issue.

The Blues, who are also trying to get to the bottom of a hip injury to striker Ryan Edmondson, were without Feeney at Shrewsbury Town last night.

READ MORE: Shrewsbury Town 3-2 Carlisle United match report

The 23-year-old was wearing a protective boot following a problem that emerged in United’s 1-1 draw at Colchester United last Saturday.

“He chased a ball into the channel with Freddie Sears, and checked quickly and felt a sharp pain in his heel,” said Simpson, speaking to BBC Radio Cumbria.

“He was struggling through the game. I said to him, ‘If you’re struggling I need you to tell me’ – he said, ‘No, I’m gonna carry on, I want to see the game through’.

“We’ve had it scanned – we’ve had an ultrasound and a CT scan – but it’s a bit inconclusive at the moment as to what the injury is.”

Simpson confirmed Feeney has been wearing a protective boot on the affected foot.

He added in a club interview: “We’re going to send him to see a specialist on Thursday, because they’re not really sure what it is.

“There’s a possibility that it’s not too serious but there’s also a possibility that it is serious.

“I can’t really speculate, we’re just going to have to wait and see what an expert’s opinion is, and hopefully we get the better end of the stick on it.”

Any absence for Feeney would be a massive blow for the Cumbrians given the ex-Everton and Sunderland man’s growing influence in their defence and team.

It would also increase the importance of Simpson bringing in reinforcements in the transfer market, with defence already having been a priority area in what is left of the summer window.

Striker Edmondson, meanwhile, has provided another injury headache because of a persistent hip problem.

The summer signing from Leeds United opened his Carlisle account in last night's 3-2 Carabao Cup first round defeat, but was then substituted before half-time.

“He got a bang on his hip and he was really struggling,” Simpson said.

“He’s been struggling with his hip over the whole of the season and part of pre-season – he keeps struggling for a day or two then he gets ready to go again.

“We’re probably going to have to get him scanned and try and find out what the issue is, because it’s something we need to get nipped in the bud if we possibly can.

“It’s just unfortunate – one of those things where he took a bang on it and was struggling. At this time of the season we can’t take chances with them. I want to keep them fit for as long as we possibly can.

“If it was the last game of the season fine, but I don’t want to make it a prolonged injury because we’ve been getting carried away in thinking he can stay out [there].

“We’ll see how he is [on Wednesday], see what the scan says whenever we get that done, and hopefully it’s nothing too serious.”