David Brooks to become a dad for first time just four years after Bournemouth and Wales star beat cancer
DAVID BROOKS feels "lucky" he will become a dad - fearing it would never happen after his cancer diagnosis.
The Bournemouth winger's wife Flora revealed last weekend she is pregnant, with the pair expecting their first baby in November.
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Brooks revealed the possibility of parent life was in doubt when he battled stage 2 Hodgkin lymphoma in October 2021.
The 27-year-old said: "When I was diagnosed, I had those conversations and there was never any guarantees that I would be able to have children in the future.
"There was a chance that it wouldn't have been possible. I was really lucky that it's happened naturally.
"After the treatment, everything has gone back to normal. I'm really happy.
"I always wanted to start a family. My wife and I always wanted kids at some point.
'My situation took it out of my hands, so it's very nice that everything has happened naturally and progressed into being a family.
"I'm really looking forward to it and I know my wife is, even though she's the pregnant one and going through all that.
"I'm delighted - there were a few tears and now we're really looking forward to it. We're still a few months away - but I can't wait."
Before Brooks has to contend with nappies and sleepless nights, the Cherries attacker aims to extend Craig Bellamy's unbeaten start to life as Wales boss.
The Dragons have now gone eight matches without defeat and expect to make that nine at home to Liechtenstein in Cardiff tomorrow.
Premier League club move into incredible new home that resembles futurist James Bond villain lair
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But then Wales face a tough trip to Group J favourites Belgium on Monday night.
Brooks ensured Bellamy has not tasted a loss yet with a 96th-minute equaliser in North Macedonia in March.
He added: "It instills a bit of fear into who we are playing because other teams know we aren't going to give up. It's a massive positive.
"It gives us confidence and makes the opposition wary."
Brooks made 33 appearances for Bournemouth across all competitions last season - but that included just 12 starts.
The wideman said: "It's always a bit frustrating. I had a good patch of starting games and I thought I was playing well.
'I've been out a long time and that was the reason I went out on loan to Southampton last year.
'But I don't want to get to the end of my career and have half of my appearances on the bench.
"I'm always looking to play more games and looking to make the best impact at club level when I get the opportunity.
"I'm in good fitness and form and confident I can make a difference over the next two Wales games."
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