David Brooks back just in time to make a massive impact in the Championship run-in

David Brooks has endured a tough spell of late in a Bournemouth shirt but his true quality showed this weekend, playing an instrumental role in Bournemouth’s 4-1 win over relegation-threatened Coventry City.

The Welshman laid on the first goal of the game for star man Arnaut Danjuma before the Dutchman later also picked out Brooks who applied a calm finish to net his first goal since December.

In the past few seasons, Brooks has found life tough, struggling with several injuries. He only made nine appearances in all competitions last term and that was only because it was extended due to the lockdown which was put in place due to Covid-19.

His season the year before was cut short, sustaining an injury in the 3-3 draw against Southampton at St Mary’s in April 2019 which meant he missed over a year of football for the Cherries.

However, following the club’s relegation to the Championship, he was surprisingly kept on with many people thinking that he would earn a move back to the Premier League but he knuckled down in pre-season and began the season under Jason Tindall, coming off the bench on the opening day win against Blackburn Rovers.

He has gone onto make 31 appearances for the club in all competitions this term, netting six goals in the process but had missed the past month and a half through injury, only returning against Blackburn Rovers on Easter Monday.

With six games remaining in the season, the Welshman will play a key role in ensuring the side secure a play-off place which they are well on track to do, currently placed in sixth, two points clear of Reading and holding a game in hand on the Berkshire club.

With Junior Stanislas struggling with an illness, Brooks’ return from injury was very timely and he linked up very well with Jack Wilshere and Danjuma in particular against the Sky Blues with the trio showing their quality throughout the game.

It’s a big few weeks for Brooks as he will be looking to be involved in the Wales squad for the upcoming Euro’s this summer having played in some of their qualification so will be keen to be in form going into the summer.

Everyone has always known just how strong a player Brooks is and can be in the future, he just needs to try and stay injury free to make sure that he fulfils his full potential which everyone knows is there.

He joined the Cherries from Sheffield United in July 2018 for a fee of £11.5 million and at the time everyone thought the club had got themselves a really good deal and they have but there is still much more there for him to show what he has got and a strong end to the season can increase his value further.

The 23-year-old has made 73 appearances in all competitons since his move to the South Coast from the Blades and has played well on the whole but there is still a new level which he can reach but needs to stay injury free for a sustained length of time to be able to reach this.

With six games remaining this season, Brooks will play a pivotal role to ensure that the Cherries get back to the Premier League at the first time of asking via the play-offs in May.

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