DAVID BROOKS will be invited to join Wales at the World Cup.
But the Bournemouth star will not be named in Robert Page’s final 26-man squad on Wednesday.
Brooks was diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma last October but revealed in May his cancer was clear.
The 25-year-old suffered a hamstring injury during his recovery, yet Cherries interim boss Gary O’Neil revealed he could return to Premier League action next month.
And Wales boss Page, who will announce his squad in his hometown of Tylorstown in the Rhondda valley, views Brooks as a key part of his plans beyond Qatar into the Euro 2024 qualifiers starting in March.
Page said: “I am going to try and get Brooksy to travel. Not in the 26 because of his injury.
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“He’s a big part of moving forward from March. I want to keep him in the group.
“I am not sure if he is committed to coming yet. But I want him to be a part of it.”
Brooks’ last of his 21 Wales caps came at Euro 2020 last summer when he was a sub in the 4-0 hammering by Denmark.
But the ex-Sheffield United star had a bright start to his international career after he was named Welsh Footballer of the Year in 2019 – and his super form saw him linked to a move to Tottenham.
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He made nine appearances last season with his final outing the goalless draw at Peterborough in the Championship last September.
Wales’ medical staff were key in identifying the problem when Brooks complained of fatigue on international duty a month later.
But, after cancer treatment and bouncing back from the injury setback, Brooks is aiming to move closer to Bournemouth’s first team squad.
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After the World Cup, Wales have been drawn against Croatia, Armenia, Turkey and Latvia in Euro 2024 qualification.
The Dragons open their campaign with a trip to Croatia on March 25, followed by their first home game three days later against Latvia in Cardiff as they plot their way to the finals in Germany.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
