ANDONI Iraola says David Brooks “wants to fight for the minutes” as he discussed the winger’s future amid reported interest from elsewhere.
After an impressive pre-season, Brooks started the first competitive game of Iraola’s reign, on the opening day of the Premier League campaign against West Ham United.
But the 26-year-old has made the starting XI in the top flight just once since, a 2-1 defeat to Wolves in October. The Wales international did however captain the side from the start against Queens Park Rangers in the FA Cup in Cherries’ last fixture, before being substituted at half-time.
Brooks has been linked with a loan move away in this window, with the likes of Southampton and Leeds United in the Championship linked.
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Asked if he expects Brooks to stay at Cherries this month, Iraola said: “I think Brooksy wants to perform and wants to fight for the minutes.
“He is in a position where we have a lot of options, especially in the wings.
“But we have no doubt about his level. I think he is a very good player and he is in a position where, for me, every week, we talk a lot about this.
“It is very difficult to choose the starting wingers, because one comes and then performs well, then the other one. It is a good fight.
“But we also have to see what the player wants, the alternatives. Until the market ends, we cannot know what is going to happen.”
Asked if he would understand Brooks wanting to leave to get more game-time, Iraola said: “Yes, every player I would understand, because at the end I don’t know what they think. I am not in their position.
“Sometimes it is possible, sometimes it is not possible.
“Sometimes you want to leave, but you have to meet some requirements.
“The club also has to be happy with the deal.
“Sometimes they reach agreements, like happened with Joe (Rothwell). The proper club is there and it suits the player.
“Sometimes it doesn’t happen. We will not know until two weeks’ time, when the market closes.”
In total, Brooks has made 16 Cherries appearances this season, totalling 457 minutes.
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