Harry Wilson revealed how the Wales dressing room serenaded David Brooks with “his song” after the Bournemouth ahead scored his first worldwide objective since beating most cancers.
Brooks was recognized with stage-two Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021 whereas on Wales responsibility.
The 26-year-old introduced he was cancer-free in May final 12 months, nevertheless it has been an extended highway again to type and health as Brooks’ physique took time to get better from the complete results of the illness.
So it was no shock the whole Wales squad wildly celebrated the stoppage time objective that Brooks scored to seal a 2-0 European Championship qualifying victory over Latvia on Monday.
It was Brooks’ first Wales objective since scoring the winner in a Nations League tie in opposition to the Republic of Ireland in November 2020.
“When the news broke that he had his illness we were on camp and it hit us hard,” Wilson mentioned after the Riga success.
“He’s a big part of the group. He’s been my room mate for years and it was tough for us all.
“To see how strong he’s been through it all, how he’s come back and regained his fitness. He’s had setbacks along the way and picked up a few injuries.
“His body was completely shut down for a while and it’s going to happen, but it’s how he’s dealt with those setbacks.
“Now he’s fully fit he showed his quality at the end. At that moment in the game a lot of players would have snatched at that chance, but he was so calm to wait for the keeper to go down and just lifted it over him.”
Wales supporters are used to belting out the ‘Brooks will tear you apart again’ tune to the tune of Joy Division’s ‘Love Will Tear You Apart’ in tribute to him.
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Wilson mentioned: “The other day when he came on against South Korea the fans must have sang his song for a good 15 to 20 minutes.
“They were singing it again at the end when we went to them to show our appreciation.
“I think he must have done an interview so he was the last one back in the dressing room.
“We had it going as well and I think it shows what a massive member of this group he’s been and how much he’s been missed over the couple of years he’s been out of the squad.”
Wales’s win – solely their second in 14 video games – has put them again within the combine for a top-two spot and computerized qualification whereas easing the strain on boss Rob Page.
They have drawn degree with Armenia on seven factors and path Croatia and Turkey by three.
Next month’s go to from group favourites Croatia will probably be adopted by a November double-header away to Armenia and at house to Turkey.
Wilson mentioned: “We’ve done well at home in the past against big teams when we’ve got the ‘Red Wall’ behind us. We’ll be looking to do that again.
“We know Armenia away is going to be tough, hostile and the pitch might not be great, but you’ve got to deal with that when you go to these places.
“We feel it’s back in our hands now and we have to make sure we put on performances like we have done before.
“We were all disappointed with how the summer camp went, not just the results (defeats to Armenia and Turkey) but the performances as well.
“We couldn’t wait to get back on camp and put right what went wrong in the summer. We put a bit of pressure on ourselves but we never do it the easy way.”