CHERRIES boss Gary O’Neil detailed the next steps in David Brooks’ return to match fitness, sharing how the Welsh international will “hopefully” feature for the development squad during the international break.

Brooks was a 79th minute substitute during Cherries’ 3-0 defeat to Aston Villa, the Warrington-born winger making his first competitive appearance in 536 days.

With Brooks not selected for international duty for Wales this international break, there is the opportunity for minutes with Alan Connell’s young charges.

Portsmouth visit the Vitality Stadium on Tuesday, March 21 (kick-off 7pm) in the quarter-finals of the Hampshire Senior Cup, with Brooks likely to be involved.

Discussing the Welshman, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “Delighted for David.

“He’s been on a really tough journey, with his family. He's worked his socks off for a while now, but to arrive where he is at this moment, we obviously need to be sensible with his minutes at the moment.

“He's got two weeks now of work.

“Hopefully he'll play some for the under-21s in the week and then by the time we come back, he'll be available for longer than he is at the moment.”
Cherries’ senior side return to action in two weeks, when they host Fulham on Saturday, April 1 (kick-off 3pm).