In late September 2007, after an encouraging start to the season playing for both Newcastle and England, it was reported that he would urgently require an operation for a double hernia and would likely be out of action for at least a month.
Di akhir September 2007, setelah berusaha untuk bermain bagi Newcastle United dan Inggris, dilaporkan bahwa ia membutuhkan operasi untuk hernia ganda dan diperkirakan akan absen selama sebulan.