CHERRIES loanee David Brooks admits he was “gutted” to have to come off early in the Championship play-off final, as Southampton clinched promotion back to the Premier League.

Brooks kept his place in the side to face Leeds United at Wembley, having impressed during the semi-final victory over West Bromwich Albion.

But he was forced off in the first half due to a shoulder problem, Saints going on to win 1-0, courtesy of an Adam Armstrong strike.

Cherries reluctantly allowed Brooks to leave on loan in the January transfer window, after the player pushed for the chance to go and get more game-time, having missed a big chunk of football during his cancer recovery.

Speaking straight after the game at Wembley about his shoulder problem, Brooks said: “It’s alright. The pain has died down now.

“I tried to give it a go. I was gutted that I had to leave the pitch.

“It is what it is. This was Sam Edozie’s day because last week it was me coming in (for Che Adams).

“As long as we got the job done, it wasn’t too bad.

"I’ve been out for about two years, you have to drag me off.

“I was going to give my all to stay on, but it wasn’t the case.”

Saints boss Russell Martin added: “I'm really gutted for him. I thought he was so good against West Brom and he wasn't meant to play. 

"We had an injury the day before and he'd come into the team and I said to him, I feel like things happen for a reason sometimes. He'd come in and it was honestly his best game for us.

"He started the game (play-off final) really well. (He was) really threatening and for him to then do that is disappointing for him.

"He's in there (changing room) loving it and enjoying it. Hopefully a bit of champagne and a few beers will numb the pain a little bit for him as well."

During his loan stay in the Championship, Brooks made 20 appearances for Saints, scoring two goals and providing six assists.