GRITTY Cherries star Derek Holmes is vowing to play through the pain barrier despite discovering he needs an operation to cure his persistent groin injury.

The 23-year-old targetman was diagnosed with a Gilmore's groin after having a scan at the Poole Harbour Hospital yesterday.

Holmes has been plagued by nagging groin and hernia problems since the end of last season and was sent for treatment at the national sports medicine centre in Scotland in the summer.

And although the condition has continued to trouble the big Scotsman this season, Holmes is adamant he will only go under the surgeon's knife when the time is right for Cherries.

In an exclusive interview with the Daily Echo, Holmes, who joined Cherries in a bargain £12,000 move from Ross County a year ago this week, said: "I'll play on until the end of the season if the manager needs me.

"I don't really feel it once I get going, but it's agony when I wake up the day after a game. I thought the problem had gone away during pre-season, but it has flared up again.

"I first felt it when I went in for a tackle against Cambridge at the end of last season and it came on again during the Wrexham game. I thought everything was okay, but it has started troubling me again recently.

"I know I am going to need an operation sometime, but I will keep playing for as long as I can or until I am told otherwise."

Holmes added: "I have really enjoyed my first year here and I have certainly had a few ups and downs. It's been great working and learning from Sean and Peter because they are both excellent coaches.

"Obviously relegation was a bitter disappointment and although we started this season a little nervously, we are coming good now and I can see a bright future for the club.

"From a personal point of view, I felt my performance against Brentford was my best of the season. I thought I did okay in the first half against Oxford, but could have done better in the second half. Despite the injury, I feel I am getting fitter and stronger with every game."

Holmes will again lead the line as Cherries bid to chalk up a hat-trick of away wins for the first time in 17 months when they visit Division Three rivals Darlington tomorrow (3pm kick-off).

Sean O'Driscoll's squad left Dean Court at the crack of dawn this morning for the long-haul trek to their North East base to continue preparations for the showdown against the Quakers at Feethams.

Cherries' main injury doubt surrounds midfielder Garreth O'Connor who broke his knuckle after falling awkwardly during the reserves' midweek defeat by Brighton.

O'Connor was told by a doctor he could face a lengthy spell on the sidelines should he aggravate the problem and it is unlikely the Irishman will be risked.

Boss O'Driscoll looks set to keep faith with the same starting line up for the third match in succession, although O'Connor's anticipated absence means there will be changes on the bench with Karl Broadhurst expected to be named among the Cherries substitutes.

Cherries: (from) Moss, Young, Purches, Maher, Tindall, Browning, C Fletcher, Elliott, Thomas, Connell, Holmes, Eribenne, Hayter, Stock, Broadhurst, Narada, Broadhurst, O'Connor, Foyewa.

Darlington: (from) Collett, Betts, Clarke, McGurk, Reed, Valentine, Wainwright, Maddison, Ford, Hadland, Nicholls, Conlon, Clark, Convery, Hodgson, Naylor, Cullen, Sheeran, Porter.