ANDONI Iraola says centurion David Brooks “deserved” the chance to wear the captain’s armband and was pleased to see him get off the mark for the season.

Wales international Brooks led the team out away at Swansea City, and found the net as Cherries came from behind to win 3-2 and progress into the third round of the Carabao Cup.

It marked a special day for the 26-year-old, who scored his first competitive goal in more than two years, following his long absence battling cancer.

Brooks captained the club for the first time, on his 100th Cherries appearance.

In that time, since arriving from Sheffield United in 2018, he has notched 18 goals and provided 12 assists.

Reflecting on Brooks’s performance at Swansea.com Stadium, head coach Iraola told the Daily Echo: “I think he was also happy because he was the captain, playing in Wales.

“It’s good that he scored. We asked him, especially at half-time, to attack the spaces more and not to ask for the ball inside every time.

"I think he was much better in the second half.”

Asked if it was a late call to make the winger captain for the day, Iraola said: “Our captain is Neto and then Smudge (Adam Smith).

“They were not starting, so I went with the player who had spent more time with us from the starting XI.

“That was Brooksy and I also think that he deserved it.”

Asked if he sees Brooks as a leader going forwards, after battling his way back to fitness, Iraola said: “I think he told this to the press – he is not focused on what has happened before.

“I think he is trying to push himself, to fight for the starting XI position, for if he is a sub to play more minutes.

“I think this is the way that he has to focus it. It is the way that we are trying to do it.

“I see him completely 100 per cent. He is ready, he started the first day, he started (on Tuesday), he has scored.

“So it is a difficult decision for me, because we have a lot of options in the wing positions.

“Tuesday also Justin (Kluivert) and Jaidon (Anthony) played good games. It’s tough, but good to have these kind of decisions for me.”

Speaking to afcbTV about being handed the armband, Brooks said: “It was a bit of a surprise being captain.

“I didn’t really know if I was going to be starting the game three hours before kick-off.

“It was a nice night, to top it off with a goal as well, it was special.”