DEFENDER Chris Mepham insisted the “sky is the limit” for team-mate David Brooks after the attacking midfielder was nominated for the PFA Young Player of the Year award.

The Cherries star has been shortlisted for the prize alongside Manchester City duo Raheem Sterling and Bernardo Silva.

Manchester United's Marcus Rashford, Liverpool full-back Trent Alexander-Arnold and West Ham starlet Declan Rice are also in contention for the prize.

Brooks has taken the Premier League by storm since joining Cherries in a £10million move from Sheffield United last summer.

He has scored seven times in 28 top-flight outings, as well as recording five assists.

And Mepham, a team-mate of Brooks at both club and international level with Wales, was pleased to see the 21-year-old be recognised for his stellar campaign.

Asked about Brooks, the centre-half told the Daily Echo: “He’s been very good. I speak very highly of David as a player and as a person.

“He works hard every day on the training pitch, wants to learn, wants to improve and I think that’s got him to where he is at the minute.

“If he keeps that attitude, then the sky is the limit and he could play anywhere.

“I’ve got a really good relationship with him on and off the pitch. I’m not surprised that he’s been shortlisted.

“In the top four teams, players get recognised more, probably score a lot more goals but the impact he’s had since he’s come in, especially in his first season, is amazing.

“I think he’ll look to improve on that and I’m sure he will.

“He might not look the biggest but I think he uses that to his advantage quite regularly. It’s hard to get near him when he changes direction quickly. He is a very good player.”

The winner of the prize will be announced at London's Grosvenor House on Sunday, April 28.

Claimed by Manchester City’s Leroy Sane last season, the award’s former winners include Cristiano Ronaldo, Eden Hazard and David Beckham. Brooks and Mepham’s Wales manager Ryan Giggs is a two-time winner of the prize.

Reacting to Brooks being shortlisted, boss Eddie Howe said: “I think he’s done brilliant things this season. He has taken to the Premier League so well. He is a very level-headed lad.

“Technically he has produced some excellent performances for us and I think the best is yet to come. He has a really good future if continues to work hard and stay level-headed.”

Asked whether Brooks’s rapid rise made it a different situation to keep hold of him, Howe replied: “It’s not something we have really thought about to be honest.

“Being in the season and very much focusing on the games, which come thick and fast, the transfer window and losing players has been not at the forefront of our thoughts.

“David recently signed a new contract, so he is fully pledged to the football club.”