AFC Bournemouth’s Brooks set for Wales return

AFC Bournemouth midfielder David Brooks is set to return to international action with Wales this evening against Iceland.

Brooks, who chalked up his first Cherries minutes since January in the 1-0 defeat by Leicester, offers another dimension to Cymru’s attack.

The 27-year-old has recovered from a shoulder injury sustained in the Championship play-off final while on loan at Southampton but he missed out on a place in the Red Dragon’s squad for their first two matches under new boss Craig Bellamy.

“We know Brooksy is a real talent… he really adds to what we’re looking to do,” Bellamy, who took charge in July, said. “He’s a different profile, which we like.”

Brooks, who valiantly overcame a stage two cancer diagnosis in 2022, is regarded as one of Cymru’s most valuable players.

“It’s great to have him back, he gives us a real different option,” Leon Williams, a member of the Red Wall, Cymru’s official supporter’s group, said.

Wales fans are excited about the prospect of one of their most creative players returning to the fold.

“You can see in the games that he has played, whether or not he’s had an impact on the scoreline, he’s had an impact on the game,” Williams added.

“He has had a real tough time of it recently, as well as his whole career. We are happy to see him in the squad.”

Wales take on Iceland in their Nations League Group B4 match in Reykjavik tonight.

Kieffer Moore, who clinched Bournemouth’s promotion to the Premier League with his goal against Nottingham Forest in 2022, and Chris Mepham are both expected to be involved in the match.