David Brooks of Southampton discusses his loan move and competition.

David Brooks, an AFC Bournemouth loanee, is a terrific player and an even better person, and Saints already know that.

The Welsh international joined with the added objective of helping the team be promoted to the Premier League during a four-month personal mission.

For Brooks, it was an opportunity to be more involved in something remarkable before his nation embarks on an incredible summer.

During his two years away from football due to disease, Brooks made a mistake that he later acknowledged and called out as “wasted”.

Brooks has a sense of making up for lost time, but he still understands that he must earn his playing time with the Saints.

“I didn’t expect to walk in here and be in the starting lineup week-in, week-out, but I have come here to play,” Brooks stated to the Daily Echo.

“I don’t back down from a challenge, and so far this season, Adam Armstrong has performed incredibly well; hopefully, this trend continues.

“In order to return to the Premier League, every member of the team must contribute.” We have enough talented players.

“I am really enjoying it, the gaffer and my teammates have all been great so I can’t complain,” he said.

“Knowing someone does make things easier, but you can talk to anyone in the changing room because most people speak English.”

“Probably the first day or two I hung onto Joe Rothwell but I had five already knew I could grip onto, and then you meet everyone else.”

Several Saints players who shared the dressing room with Brooks had already been consulted by manager Russell Martin.

Together with Che Adams, Brooks made his breakthrough at Sheffield United in 2015; Ryan Fraser and Jack Stephens were also Cherries teammates.

The playing background of the 2018 Wales Footballer of the Year was largely unquestioned, particularly following a visit to Vitality Stadium.

After watching Brooks savor a goal and two assists against Swansea in January, Martin became worried that Bournemouth would not release him.

“After that game, I didn’t really know what would happen as I was trying to put my name in the hat for Bournemouth,” said Brooks.

“Obviously, that didn’t really develop and I had to look at my options – Saints was the best one.”

Conversations with Martin and a video chat with Jason Wilcox, the director of football for the Saints, convinced Brooks.

In 2014, Brooks was let go by Wilcox, the Man City academy coach who had trained the Welshman from Warrington.

Brooks joked, “I didn’t let him forget that,” in response to the man’s request for Brooks to come do a favor for him.

“It was a bit of a running joke with him because the last conversation we had before that Facetime call was him releasing us,” he explained.

“I believe it was advantageous to all involved! We had a great conversation—just like with Russell—and he convinced me to join the club. I don’t harbor grudges.

“He told me about where they want to go and it matches my ambitions for the next four months so it was a perfect fit.”

Regretfully, Brooks is used to having to defend himself when things appear bleak.

A little over two years later, he was celebrating another Wales goal. The purpose of this interview was to help him make that comeback.

“There was never any doubt creeping in, but you never know what was going to happen,” Brooks said.

“I always believed that after my treatment, I would rise to the top and play in the Premier League and for my nation.

“When you look back on it, it was a good accomplishment; but, I wasn’t shocked at the time since I knew I could do it.

“It was always my objective and my desire. It’s a little more significant because of the two years I did have off.”

The match that Finland visits Wales next month played a major role in Brooks’ decision to explore a loan move away from Bournemouth.

Rob Page’s team is competing in the European Championship qualifying round. The victor will advance to Germany by facing either Poland or Estonia.

It was a very important factor. Kieffer Moore was in a similar circumstance to me, and we have some really talented attackers,” Brooks clarified.

“Every child’s dream is to play at the EUROs, and mine is no different. We want to be as fit as we can be for the big games.”

“When you look at the wingers and number 10s for Wales, I didn’t want to be the only one turning up who is not 100 per cent ready to play.”

Moore, a fellow loanee from Bournemouth, has joined the opposition in the Championship promotion battle.

The 31-year-old will be a formidable opponent at Portman Road in April after smashing four goals in his first five games for Ipswich Town.

“I’ve been texting him a fair bit—we’re fighting for second right now, but he’s a fantastic striker and a huge threat in stature,” Brooks stated.

“He has the finishing capabilities to go along with it so it’s no surprise he’s doing well.”

By the beginning of May, Brooks is still optimistic that the Saints would regain the upper hand in the promotion race and secure the second position.

He states that as long as he can “drift, create, and score goals,” he is willing to play “wherever” Martin asks him to help.

Thirteen pivotal games remain, when Saints will host all three of their promotion rivals. His energy will be needed in these games.

“I am very confident, we have a lot of talent in the squad and it is all going to be utilised in the next few weeks,” Brooks stated.

“We have the option of rotating and keeping everyone fresh so I think we have an extremely good chance and fancy ourselves.”