David Brooks is desperate to “repay” Wales after their medical team help diagnose his cancer early and potentially saved his life.
Wales were preparing for a double header against the Czech Republic and Estonia when Brooks was given the devastating news in October 2021.
It followed the prompt actions of Wales team doctor Jon Houghton who saw the danger signals and helped spot Stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma .
Within 24 hours of tests, Brooks was coming to terms with the shock diagnosis which meant rounds of gruelling chemotherapy.
But Welsh international Brooks was eventually declared "cancer free" last May having sat out the Cherries’ promotion-winning campaign.
He came on as a substitute for Bournemouth at Aston Villa in the Premier League in March for his first appearance in 536 days.
Now Brooks is relishing the prospect of returning to the international stage ahead of Rob Page’s side’s Euro 2024 qualifier at home to Armenia on Friday after starting Bournemouth’s final two games this term.
“I want to repay everything Wales have done,” said Brooks,25, who has two goals in 21 appearances for Wales.
“It was the same at Bournemouth. I just want to repay both club and nation and get back to doing what I love.
“But with Jon the doc, I do owe him a lot.
“Thankfully he was on the ball and picked up on a few symptoms.
“He made me go and get extra tests and rest is history.
“When you hear the word cancer the worst pops into your head until you hear the prognosis and treatment plan.
“But it was always positive I would be able to return to normal life.
“So it's always nice to see the doc.
“Whenever my mum and dad see him they burst out crying and give him a big hug.
“There is a lot of respect there and I can't thank him enough.
“After all I've been through to get back to the top and represent my country it would be a big thing for me.”
Brooks played for Bournemouth against Peterborough on September 29 2021 before getting diagnosed with cancer of the lymphatic system.
He says the support of his parents and girlfriend Flora helped him cope.
Brooks, who featured three times at Euro 2020, now wants to concentrate on his football again and prove he deserves a place on merit in the Bournemouth and Wales sides.
He believes Rob Page’s team have a great chance of making their third successive Euros.
They have got off to a good start in Group D where they are level on points with leaders Croatia.
He added: “I don’t want any sympathy and want to be here on merit.
“I don’t want to be called up to be a spare part.
“There’s a lot of new faces, people I’ve not met prior to this camp, and a lot of new staff.
“But the brief time I’ve worked with them over the past week, we’re all pushing in the same direction and trying to achieve the same goal.”
