BOSS Gary O’Neil confirmed David Brooks’s comeback had been hampered by the virus swirling around Cherries’ squad.

A number of players have been struggling with illness in recent weeks, with Chris Mepham absent from last week’s trip to Chelsea and O’Neil himself missing media duties ahead of Saturday’s clash with Crystal Palace.

And Cherries’ boss said Brooks is another who has been struggling. The Wales international has not featured competitively since September 2021. He received a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma shortly afterwards, missing the remainder of the season.

Thankfully, Brooks revealed he had been given the all-clear from cancer in May 2022, and returned to Cherries training over the summer.

The 25-year-old looked to be closing in on an emotional return to the pitch, when starting for the development squad in a friendly against Brentford in August.

However, he suffered a hamstring injury early on in that contest and has been working his way back since.

Discussing the fitness of his squad ahead of the trip to Manchester United tomorrow, with Marcus Tavernier and goalkeeper Neto also recently out with hamstring issues, O’Neil told the Daily Echo: “David Brooks is doing well.

“He missed a few days with the virus, like some of the others.

“Obviously we had to pick him up again after that, but the hamstring stuff is going well.

“He’s been moving well on the grass. Hopefully David can come back around the squad soon.”

O’Neil added: “Tavernier won’t be available for United.

“He’s probably looking at a few more weeks I would guess. We’re not sure exactly.

“It depends how well he progresses, but it’s looking like a few more weeks.

“Neto is getting closer. He’s done some good stuff on the grass, some running, some goalkeeping.

“He hasn’t done much kicking yet, he’s just started kicking.

“He shouldn’t be too far away, but has obviously been out for a long time, so will need some work even once he’s back in training to get up to speed.”