David Brooks hails ‘special’ Liverpool win as Bournemouth star returned for first time in 529 days after cancer battle

DAVID BROOKS hailed the ‘special’ feeling of returning to Bournemouth’s squad for the first time in 529 days following his cancer diagnosis.

The Wales attacker, 25, was a substitute in the Cherries’ 1-0 victory over Liverpool on Saturday.

David Brooks, centre, came off the bench in the win over LiverpoolGetty

His return to the pitch comes just five months after being given the all clearGetty

Brooks was diagnosed with Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021 but revealed he was ‘cancer free’ last October.

Brooks tweeted: “529 days I’ve had to wait for that feeling!

“Been a long wait and a very difficult period for me and my family but to be able to step back on that football pitch and feel part of the team again was special!

“Thanks to all the fans for the great reception.”

Brooks’ return to Bournemouth first-team action saw him receive a warm welcome from team-mates and fans at the Vitality Stadium.

And he could now be in contention to make a Wales comeback this week.

Boss Robert Page names his squad for this month’s Euro 2024 qualifiers against Croatia and Latvia on Tuesday.

Brooks, who has won 21 caps, last played for Wales against Denmark at the last-16 stage of Euro 2020.

But the former Sheffield United winger linked up with Page’s squad at the World Cup in Qatar last November.

Aaron Ramsey returned from a hamstring injury for Nice in a 2-2 draw at Nantes on Sunday but Page will be sweating over news on injuries to Wayne Hennessey and Brennan Johnson.

Hennessey was named on the bench and pulled out of the warm up before Nottingham Forest’s 3-1 loss to Spurs while Johnson limped off in the second half.

Forest boss Steve Cooper said: “Wayne felt his knee so was unable to go on the bench. Brennan went off with a groin strain, which we don’t know how bad it is. We’ll see over the next day or two.”

Jonny Williams became the fourth player to retire from Wales since the World Cup, joining Gareth Bale, Joe Allen and Chris Gunter.

The Swindon midfielder, 29, won 33 caps and said: “I have decided that the time is right for me to step back and retire from international football. From the age of 15, it has been an absolute honour and privilege to wear the red dragons on my shirt.

“Going to two European championships and a World Cup was beyond my wildest dreams but it was all made possible together.”