CHERRIES loanee David Brooks is glad that his efforts to secure regular game time has borne fruit for his country after the Welshman scored in a 4-1 win over Finland.

Brooks opened scores after three minutes as Wales moved one step closer to qualifying for this summer’s Euros in Germany, advancing to the play-off final.

Fellow Cherries Chris Mepham and Kieffer Moore featured, the latter replacing Brooks off the bench.

Currently on loan at Championship side Southampton, Brooks feels that he and his teammates are reaping the benefits of securing regular gametime.

Brooks shared: "We're all at club level trying to do the best we can to give ourselves the best chance of starting.

"But if anyone else had started I couldn't really complain because all the forward lads have been doing well and scoring at their clubs.

"So I'm just thankful to have got the nod and it was good to repay the manager with a goal and an assist.

"This was one of the big reasons why I wanted to come out on loan.

"If I was still at Bournemouth and playing 10 minutes at the end of games I might not have got the nod. It’s been a good decision for me."

"It's a Wales team with plenty of firepower. DJ (Dan James) and Kieffer (Moore) have been in good form but were both on the bench, there's goals throughout the team and if anyone plays they'll be a threat.

"As a player you want to offer as much as possible to give the gaffer a headache and all the lads possess that, whoever he picks in the front three will be a threat to Poland."

Wales now move onto a winner-takes-all match-up with Poland, who defeated Estonia 5-1 in the other half of the league A play-off bracket.

Once again Cymru will enjoy home advantage, with the tie to be staged at Cardiff City Stadium on Tuesday, March 26.

"We're halfway there,” continued Brooks.

“The aim was to get to the Euros and we have another big game.

"Poland are a good team with good players but we're a good team with good players.

"They'll be looking at us as a big threat as well. We'll be putting a game-plan together.

"Hopefully it's another special night. Everyone in there wants to play at the Euros again and we'll be all pulling in the same direction."