Latest feature in an occasional new series in which we catch up with the happenings of professional footballers from Warrington, this time focusing on David Brooks...

WALES international David Brooks has been in the headlines this week.

The Warrington-born 27-year-old scored the winning goal for Bournemouth in their 1-0 success against Everton in the Premier League at the Vitality Stadium.

It helped The Cherries achieve a club record eight games unbeaten in the top flight, placing them within three points of the Champions League places.

And what a goal it was from the former Birchwood Community High School student, coming 13 minutes from time.

Goalkeeper Jordan Pickford made impressive saves to deny Dango Ouattara and Justin Kluivert in the first half but was helpless to keep out Brooks’ wonderful strike, the winger leaping to put his left foot through Milos Kerkez’s cross to find the far corner.

“It was a great cross from Milos, I could see it as soon as it left his boot,” said Brooks.

“As soon as I got to the ball I thought, ‘Why not hit it?’ “I think if I’d taken a touch it would close up the space and the defender could get out. I thought, ‘What’s the worst that could happen?’”

It is almost two years since Brooks made his return to football after receiving the all-clear from a cancer diagnosis.

He missed almost 18 months suffering from Hodgkin lymphoma, making his comeback in March 2023, but has failed to hold down a regular place in the team under successive managers.

Brooks spent a large chunk of last season on loan at Southampton, helping them to achieve promotion via the play-offs.

Head coach Andoni Iraola turned to Brooks over the Christmas period as injuries forced his hand and said he remains a player the team can rely on.

Bournemouth will likely need the full depth of their squad in the coming weeks as they face Chelsea, Newcastle, Nottingham Forest and Liverpool in their next four matches, all of whom are currently in the top five.

“Everyone in the club trusts David,” said Iraola.

“In the last month he’s started two games, he’s come on from the bench in the others. He’s playing more minutes especially because we have injuries in his position.

“Everyone is fighting for minutes and it’s good for the team. Its difficult for them because they all want to play more. We have five or six options with the wingers that are very good, it’s difficult for them.”