David Brooks' Inspiring Comeback Story: From Battling Cancer to Making a Difference on the Field
David Brooks aims to be a key player for Wales, insisting he must earn his place on merit Bournemouth's midfielder has recently recovered from Hodgkin lymphoma and is eager to prove himself Coach Rob Page welcomes the selection dilemma and wants his team to improve their attacking game for their upcoming Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey
David Brooks is determined not to be judged based on emotions as he makes his return to the Wales team. After being diagnosed with stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma last October, Brooks is back in the squad for Friday's Euro 2024 qualifier against Armenia, marking his first appearance for the Dragons in almost a year.
After being declared cancer-free in May of last year, the 25-year-old winger made his return to club action for Bournemouth in March and even started in their final two Premier League games. Brooks solidified his commitment to the club by signing a new four-year deal in August, and now believes that any selection for the Wales team must be earned through merit.
"I was out of contract this year before I signed my new one," Brooks said.
"Even before talks had kicked in, I wanted to make it clear I wasn't there for sympathy.
"I don't want to be there if I'm not going to play or wasn't in the plans.
"Once they saw me training and how I was determined to get back to, I did earn what I was given.
"I am determined to earn my place in both the Bournemouth XI and the Welsh team. Having undergone chemotherapy treatment after being diagnosed with cancer, I have faced challenges such as night sweats, weight loss, and difficulty climbing stairs. However, I am working hard to overcome these obstacles and prove my worth on the field."
He mentioned that he needs to convert some of his body fat into muscle to achieve his peak playing condition. Recently, he went back to the Wales camp where he was initially diagnosed, and he felt delighted to be there again.
Image:
Brooks is back in the Wales fold
After the treatment, Brooks prioritized rejoining the Bournemouth dressing room to regain his sense of belonging. Once he accomplished that, his goal was to return to the Wales set up where he was warmly welcomed by his teammates.
After being diagnosed with cancer symptoms by Wales' chief medical officer, Jonathan Houghton, Brooks expressed his gratitude towards him, acknowledging the significant impact he has had in his life. Brooks shared that his parents become emotional and embrace Houghton whenever they see him, a testament to the immense appreciation they have for him. Brooks stated that he owes Houghton a great deal and cannot thank him enough.
"Getting that awful news drops and crushes your world, at that moment you hope it will get better and go back to normal at some point."
'I still want to try and get to the very top'
Image:
Brooks won the last of his 21 Wales caps in June 2021
Brooks won the last of his 21 Wales caps against Denmark at the delayed 2020 European Championship in June 2021.
After his diagnosis, Brooks' outlook on life may have shifted as he expressed that football was no longer a priority. In fact, he simply hoped to continue living. However, it was evident that playing football was a passion of his and the realization that it was suddenly taken away was devastating.
"But it's not the end of the world if you don't end up playing football. Football is not life or death, the main thing is being happy and healthy.
Image:
Brooks underwent chemotherapy treatment
I remain steadfast in my aspirations. My ultimate aim is to reach the pinnacle of my profession.
The same fervor and determination are shared by my fellow teammates. Our common objective is to qualify for prestigious tournaments like the Euros and the World Cup, which every footballer dreams of participating in."
"I've had the opportunity to meet many new faces at this camp, both staff and fellow athletes. Although it has only been a week, it's clear that we all share a common goal and are working together towards it."
Page: Mullin must prove himself in EFL
Image:
Paul Mullin has scored 78 goals in two seasons
If Paul Mullin manages to score on a consistent basis in League Two, he may be in contention for selection to the Welsh national team, according to Rob Page. The Wrexham striker, who hails from Liverpool, is eligible to play for Wales due to his Welsh grandmother and has expressed his desire to represent the country at an international level.
The player, who is 28 years old, boasts an impressive record of 78 goals in two seasons at Wrexham. This achievement aided the club, which is owned by Hollywood stars Rob McElhenney and Ryan Reynolds, in regaining their position in the English Football League. Furthermore, Mullin was awarded the 2022-23 FA Cup Golden Ball, as he emerged as the top scorer of the tournament. Despite this, Mullin's eligibility has sparked debates among Welsh supporters who are eager to see him play for the senior team. However, coach Page has expressed reluctance in selecting a player who currently plays in the fifth tier of English football.
Page emphasized the importance of current performance, stating that past accomplishments are not the sole criteria for selection. He noted that a player's success in League Two would be taken into consideration, but acknowledged the significant gap between that level and the player's previous experience.
As he continues to climb the ranks, we will closely observe Mullin's performance and judge him based on his ability to consistently score goals. His track record in League Two is impressive, having earned the Golden Boot with a whopping 32 goals during Cambridge's successful 2020-21 promotion season.
During this season's FA Cup, he managed to score a total of nine goals, with three of them being against Coventry and Sheffield United from the Championship league. Page shared his admiration for the player's work ethic after watching him play against Sheffield United.
"I wouldn't want to play against him, he's a pain in the backside.
"Forget his goalscoring and his eye for goal, I like him because he's a pain to play against. He's like a rat, and I want that."
Page welcomes selection headache
Page admits Wales need to sharpen their attacking play for games against Armenia and Turkey after collecting four points from their opening two Euro 2024 qualifiers in March.
Page emphasized the need for improvement in the final third of the pitch despite being satisfied with the team's control over the game during the 1-0 home win over Latvia. Moreover, Brennan Johnson and Brooks are back in the squad after being absent during the 1-1 draw in Croatia and the aforementioned victory.
The return of Brennan, along with the availability of Daniel James, Harry Wilson, and David, will undoubtedly enhance our chances of success. Our squad's versatility allows us to experiment with two or three different formations with ease."
With players like Brennan on our team, we have the flexibility to adjust our game plan mid-match and increase our chances of scoring more goals. However, our challenge now lies in figuring out how to utilize all of our talented players effectively within the same lineup.
