GARY O’Neil described losing “crucial” Marcus Tavernier as a “big loss” and is unsure when the midfielder will be available to feature again.

Tavernier had started in all 15 of Cherries’ Premier League fixtures since his summer switch from Middlesbrough, prior to today’s trip to Stamford Bridge.

However, the 23-year-old was not available to face Chelsea, missing due to a hamstring injury as Cherries fell to a 2-0 defeat.

Asked how much Cherries missed the former Middlesbrough man, boss O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “He’s a big loss. He’s been crucial to what we’ve done so far. He’s a big loss to us.

“But we’ve got a squad of players who, as you’ve seen in the second half, can go and give Chelsea a tough 45 minutes.

“We look at that, we make sure we look like that again on New Year’s Eve against Crystal Palace. Chelsea is a tough place to come.

“I don’t think anyone probably expected us to come here and get anything. You need everything to go right for you to do so.

“A few things didn’t and then we managed to weather a bit of a storm and come out of it very, very strong and put Chelsea under a little bit of a pressure.”

Asked how long it could be until Tavernier will be available again, O’Neil added: “He’s got a hamstring injury. He’s been out a couple of weeks already.

“We’re not sure how much longer really. We’re just monitoring it daily, catch up with the doc and the physios to see how he’s progressing.

“I’m hopeful to get him back as soon as possible.”