DAVID BROOKS has opened the door to a Bournemouth exit this month.
The Cherries winger, 26, scored once and assisted two more in the excellent 5-0 FA Cup fourth-round win over Swansea.
But Brooks has made just two Premier League starts under Andoni Iraola and the Wales attacker wants first-team football, with Championship duo Southampton and Leeds keen to secure a loan move.
Brooks, who had 18 months on the sidelines after his stage two Hodgkin lymphoma diagnosis in October 2021, said: “I just want to play first team football.
“I’m trying to show the gaffer why I should be playing.
“I’ve had a lot of time on the sidelines and I don’t want to continue there.
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“I’ve had two years out so I want to play, regardless of the circumstances.
“I’d love to continue my football here but it’s up to everyone what they think the best situation is.
“I’d rather be playing here but if the manager thinks there isn’t guaranteed football for me here I’ll try and explore opportunities elsewhere.”
Brooks also has one eye on his international ambitions with Wales facing a Euro 2024 semi-final play-off against Finland in March.
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Robert Page’s side are potentially two home wins away from the finals in Germany.
Brooks added: “I want first team minutes for my own career and for Wales – we have some big qualifiers coming up so I’m looking to play as many minutes as possible.
“I want to be as fit as possible for the play-offs, in particular. I need to try and bump those minutes ahead of the qualifiers.
“I’m trying to do the best I can when I get the opportunities. We’ve got a really good group of players.”
Brooks described his FA Cup display as a “chance for me to come on the pitch and show people what I’m capable of” which he hopes has “put me more in the gaffer’s mind”.
Bournemouth’s next match is in the Prem away to West Ham next Thursday on deadline day.
Source: Soccer - thesun.co.uk
