JACK Kennedy must wait another fortnight before finding out how long his latest injury is likely to take to heal.

The 23-year-old jump jockey broke his leg in a fall at Naas last Sunday, an injury which is likely to cost him the chance of becoming champion, and could rule him out of the Cheltenham Festival.

Kennedy’s agent Kevin O’Ryan told The Irish Field on Friday afternoon: “Following an initial consultation with his surgeon Paddy Kenny this morning, Jack is going to return for further assessment in another two weeks. The picture should be a lot clearer after that consultation as to where he stands.”

The injury to Kennedy prompted Davy Russell to come out of retirement this weekend but the 43-year-old insists he is only doing so to help trainer Gordon Elliott and owners with horses being prepared for the upcoming major festivals.

Russell, who retired a week before Christmas, told RTE Radio: “I know all the horses , all the owners and we are at a vital part of the season for those horses that everything goes right. I suppose Gordon was happy that I was in a position to come back and help out the team. Basically that’s all it is. It’s not that I am missing racing. We took the decision that I would come back and continue where I left off.

“It’s not your typical manager-player relationship. I’ve known Gordon for a long time. It was a two-way conversation. He just put in perspective what was ahead and asked if I was willing to help out. You must remember that he was there for me when I had my knock-out, so it’s only natural to repay him in these circumstances.

“I was there on Wednesday and schooled and rode out an awful lot of horses. They were tempting me with the good horses they were putting me on, one after another. I rode some very special horses and to get the opportunity to ride those horses is great.”

“I’m sure I put on a couple of pounds over Christmas but that’s not an issue. I am used to getting the weight off.”

Russell has two mounts at Fairyhouse today and three at Punchestown on Sunday.