INSPIRATIONAL David Brooks says it "means everything" to make a return to the football field, and hopes it shows others battling cancer “there’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel”.

Brooks made his first competitive appearance in 536 days on Saturday, coming off the bench during Cherries’ 3-0 defeat at Villa Park.

His last game was in a 0-0 draw at Peterborough United in the Championship in September 2021. Shortly afterwards, he was diagnosed with Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Brooks announced he was cancer-free in May 2022 and has been working his way back to full fitness since.

That culminated in his appearance against Villa, with all four sides of the ground applauding the 25-year-old onto the pitch.

Discussing his return, Brooks told afcbTV: “Obviously over the past 18 months it’s not been a great time.

“I briefly put it on social media that it was nice to be part of the team (on the bench against Liverpool).

“(Saturday) was no different, to get back on the pitch and try and help and feel involved was a nice feeling.

“Obviously the game didn’t really go to plan in terms of when I came on, what I wanted to do and help the team achieve. But it was a nice moment to get back out there.

“I wanted to go on and try and help, score or create something. It wasn’t really the case and the game kind of got away from us towards the end, which was disappointing.”

Asked about the ovation he received from supporters, the Wales international added: “I’d like to say thank you to all the Villa fans that did that.

“They were doing it near enough as soon as I went to warm up in the first bit, so to do that, I’m pretty sure my family in the crowd and everyone involved with me, it was a nice moment for them as well.”

Brooks added: “It means everything to get back out there and be doing the things I like.

“It was a tough 18 months for my mum and dad to watch me go through that. My girlfriend Flora was basically a 24-hour nurse getting me back to health as well and looked after me well.

“My girlfriend’s brother and dad were both in the stands and he is going through exactly the same thing as me and he has not had the best of news over the weekend.

“So it is obviously a bit of a downer for him and I just want to send my support and show that there’s a bit of light at the end of the tunnel when he gets there.”