Speaking to the Bournemouth Evening Echo, manager Sean O'Driscoll is quoted as saying: "Chris had a niggle in his groin and I asked to the two physios to discuss it. Jim (Marshall, Cherries physio) thought it might be a sportsman's hernia. They scanned him and I believe he has one, so he will have the operation sometime next week. He will probably be out for around four weeks. It is disappointing for him but that is why we have moved quickly to get Steven down. We contacted Villa and they were happy to help. We have a good connection with them and he is a good little player who we've known about for a while".