RETURNING star David Brooks admitted he had been left “angry and demoralised” after his long-awaited Premier League return ended in defeat.

The Wales international had to wait 330 days, as well as go through two ankle operations before he was named in Cherries’ starting XI for Saturday’s battle with Crystal Palace.

But it proved not to be a happy comeback for the 22-year-old, who played 61 minutes in the 2-0 reverse against the Eagles at Vitality Stadium.

Defeat meant Cherries remained in the bottom three with eight games remaining to save their season.

Brooks said: “Personally, it was obviously nice to be back out there playing again but the emotions are a little bit angry and demoralised with the result and how we performed.

“We knew what was at stake. We let ourselves down in the first 20 to 30 minutes.

“The standards we hold in there, the players and the calibre of talent, it isn’t good enough that we’re down there in the first place.

“We look to put it right on Wednesday (against Wolves).”

Warrington-born Brooks had not featured in a competitive Premier League encounter for more than a year after going through is ankle rehab.

And the playmaker admitted it had been tough to watch his team-mates embroiled in a relegation scrap.

“It has been hard,” he added.

“Watching the boys, especially when they’ve been getting the results that they have, you obviously want to be on the pitch trying to help them.

“But it was out of my control, I just had to keep working hard to come back for the restart of the season and thankfully I’ve made it.

“I’ve got 60 minutes in my legs down and, if I’m called upon, I’ll be able to do it on Wednesday. I’m just looking forward to doing a full 90 to help the team.”

Brooks’s first appearance of the campaign came with no supporters in attendance at Vitality Stadium, due to the coronavirus pandemic.

But the Wales international refused to see the empty stands an excuse for his team’s performance.

“Fans play a massive part in sport and football,” he added.

“Obviously they were a big miss for us but we can’t complain and dwell on it because every single Premier League team is in the same boat.

“We’ve got to get on with it and turn it round on Wednesday.”