FORMER Manchester United youth player Joe Thompson has offered David Brooks his support after he too beat the same illness as a young player.

Cherries’ 24-year-old midfielder Brooks has been diagnosed with Stage II Hodgkin lymphoma and will begin treatment next week.

Ex-United youth man Thompson was diagnosed with the same disease aged 23, and beat the condition to return to his playing career.

Speaking to the Manchester United club website, Thompson reveals he has already reached out to Brooks.

“So I have reached out to him and I have spoken to quite a few of his team-mates, and his agent, because I have been in that situation,” Thompson said. “He is 24 and I was 23 when I got diagnosed with Hodgkin lymphoma.

“It is quite overwhelming, and I know for a fact he will be lifted by the support that he is getting from the footballing world.

“But he has got his journey to get through and if I can obviously help him and support him in any way shape or form, then I will do."

He continued: “One positive from it all is that he is a supreme athlete to a certain degree. Yes, the chemotherapy is going to take its toll and it is going to be taxing, but he is in a strong position.

“I obviously don't know the ins and outs about the diagnosis, but he is going to be okay and we are just going to need to make sure we get him through it.

“I am sure he has got an unbelievable support network around him and he is going to need his family and friends, because it can be quite lonely at times and you can overthink things.

“I am wishing him all the best.”