The veteran midfielder had to visit a cardiologist after complaining of problems but has since been given the all-clear.

The first indication that all was not well came during last month's defeat at Portdown when Lockhart had to come off in the first half, with manager Roy Walker stating afterwards that the player “couldn't get a breath”.

He played a full 90 minutes against Linfield the following week – scoring United's opening goal in a 2-0.

“After that game, our club doctor, Stephen McCurdy, ran a few tests on Darren.

“At first, Darren thought it may have been too much caffeine giving him palpitations but he was very tired at the end of the game so Stephen sorted out a couple of blood tests and referred him to a cardiologist.

“He underwent more tests and thankfully he has been told the condition is treatable. He has been doing a bit of light training with us but he wouldn't have played in any of our last four matches.

“I have given Darren the option of not training three nights every week but when I say to him, he just says 'no, I'll come down anyway'.

“He is so important to us as a player in his own right but in developing young players because Jim Grattan and I can't be on the pitch to tell players what to do in certain situations, so we rely on Locky's experience – he is a 'doer',” added Roy.