BOSS Eddie Howe insists Cherries will do all they can to ready youngster David Brooks for the physical demands of the Premier League.

The Wales international has made a big impact since his £10million arrival from Sheffield United, looking lively in friendlies against Sevilla, Levante and Nottingham Forest.

He also featured in a behind-closed-doors pre-season clash with French Ligue 1 side Amiens earlier today.

A product of Manchester City’s academy, the 21-year-old joined the Dorset club having made nine starts in the Championship for Sheffield United last season.

He played 90 minutes in the league on four occasions, the most recent being against Millwall in December before being struck down by a bout of glandular fever.

Brooks managed 75 minutes of Cherries’ 2-0 defeat to Forest before being replaced by Connor Mahoney.

Describing the attacking midfielder as “excellent” technically, Howe admitted he was excited by the talent of the Warrington-born star.

He told the Daily Echo: “He has that natural grace which left-footed players have. Technically, he is excellent.

“Physically, he can get better. I think that is probably the biggest area of scope for us and for him to work on.

“He is young, he is a late developer and he had glandular fever.

“We will certainly be doing a lot of work with him to improve his endurance, speed and strength.

“When we do get those things up to how we want them, then there is going to be an exciting player for us.

“He wants to do well and wants to improve. I don’t think we saw the very best of him at Forest, in certain stages of the game he produced moments of quality.

“Certainly, there is loads more to come and I am enthused by what he can be for us in the future.”

Brooks will be looking to feature as Cherries contest their final two pre-season friendlies this week.

They host La Liga outfit Real Betis on Friday (7pm) before entertaining Marseille at Vitality Stadium less than 24 hours later (3pm).

With their Premier League opener against Cardiff on Saturday, August 11, Howe believes he would have no problem blooding Brooks from the off.

He added: “I would leave it open to say ‘come on David, show you are better than the players in your position’. If he is, he will play.

“Who knows what his journey will be from this point? I think he will dictate that by how quickly he picks up everything we are putting into him.

“He has trained really well and shown a great attitude.

“He has been very keen to learn and get better and it’s been difficult to get him off the training pitch. He has all the qualities I look for in a person and a player. From that side of things, I have been really pleased.

“He seems very mature for his age and has fitted in to the group really well. He has developed some nice friendships and has not been a moment’s problem for me.”