CHERRIES midfielder Lewis Cook revealed how David Brooks was looking “sharp as ever” on his return to training – before the coronavirus pandemic halted the Welshman’s comeback.

Brooks has not kicked a ball competitively this campaign, having undergone two operations on an ankle problem picked up at Brentford back in pre-season.

The Warrington-born star was filmed by afcbTV earning an applause from his team-mates on his return to training, as well as going through a range of drills.

And Cook insisted it had been a boost for Eddie Howe’s men to have the former Sheffield United star back among the ranks before football’s shutdown.

Asked about Brooks’s return, he told the Daily Echo: “I think everyone knows he’s a top, top player. We have missed him this year.

“He’s a great lad to have around the place and he’s a good laugh as well.

“He was looking sharp as ever when we were last in, so it’s really good to have him in and around it.”

Brooks was also filmed alongside winger Arnaut Danjuma, who was back in training following a delicate foot injury that had kept him of the Dorset club’s past 13 league games.

Dutchman Danjuma’s most recent appearance came in a 3-0 home defeat to runaway league leaders Liverpool in December.

The COVID-19 outbreak now means Brooks and Danjuma’s wait for first-team action will be extended.

“It’s a tough one,” said Cook, who himself only returned from a serious knee injury back in September.

“They worked really hard to get to the stage they were at. For it to be taken away is tough.

“But you look at some of the other players who may be a little bit further off, hopefully it gives them a little bit of time to make sure they can get back fit.

“Hopefully when it resumes, we can have a full team and be full strength going into the last nine games.”

Cherries were currently 18th in the top flight with 27 points from 29 games. The Premier League campaign on Friday was suspended indefinitely.