GARY O’Neil was keen to highlight the contribution of Marcus Tavernier in Cherries’ battle to avoid Premier League relegation this season, adding: “I’m gutted for him that he’s hurt his hamstring again.”

Cherries look set for a second season in the top flight, moving nine points clear of the bottom three with a 4-1 win over Leeds United on Sunday.

That followed a 1-0 triumph at Southampton three days earlier, Tavernier netting the winner.

The only negative from that night at St Mary’s was seeing Tavernier forced off injured towards the end of the contest, with another hamstring issue.

The 24-year-old has had an impressive first season at this level, since joining Cherries from Championship Middlesbrough for a reported £12million in the summer, contributing five goals and four assists from 23 appearances.

However, his campaign has been hampered now by three separate hamstring injuries, which has seen him miss 11 Premier League matches.

The severity of his current setback is yet to be confirmed, but head coach O’Neil says Cherries will now take their time to get him fully fit again, with the threat of relegation no longer looming.

Discussing Tavernier after Sunday’s win over Leeds, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “I think it’s important to mention Tavs.

“He’s played a big part this season. Even though he’s had a real tough run, I’m gutted for him that he’s hurt his hamstring again.

“To bounce back every time and to come straight back in and have the impact that he does.

“He’s played a huge part on the points tally that we have, even though he has suffered a frustrating season from his part.”

Cherries are awaiting further medical opinions to assess the current damage to Tavernier.

Asked if he feels Tavernier’s hamstring issues could be a concern going forwards, O’Neil added: “It will fall on me eventually, but I won’t be the one planning how we make sure that he stays fit.

“There will be some work that goes in, definitely.

“Obviously in the midst of a relegation battle, which it has been, there’s always a pressure, because you know what he can do, a pressure to get him back and to use him.

“So now we’ll see how he is, he might not even be that serious yet.

“But if it is similar to the others, we have a nice, good block now where we can try and help him get in some real good shape and see if we can get him back stronger.”

Cherries host Chelsea on Saturday (3pm), knowing a win would see them leapfrog Frank Lampard’s Blues in the table.