Wales squad: David Brooks called up to Rob Page's side for first time since cancer diagnosis ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers
David Brooks has been called up to the Wales squad for the first time since his diagnosis with cancer; Neco Williams, Brennan Johnson and Ben Davies have all been called up, but there is no place for Tom Lockyer; Wales take on Armenia and Turkey in Euro 2024 qualifiers next month
Tuesday 30 May 2023 18:09, UK
David Brooks has been called up to the Wales squad for Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey for the first time since getting the all clear following his diagnosis with blood cancer.
Bournemouth's attacking midfielder Brooks, who was diagnosed with stage two Hodgkin Lymphoma, made his return to club football in March of this year after getting the all clear from cancer 12 months ago.
It is the 23-year-old's first international call-up since October 2021, the same month in which he was diagnosed with the illness.
- Euro 2024 Qualifying fixtures | Results
- European Championship Qualifying tables
- Download the Sky Sports App | Get Sky Sports
Brooks has made six appearances for Bournemouth since his return, including hour-long outings in the Cherries' last two matches of the season.
"I am pleased for him because he's had a long journey," Wales boss Rob Page said ahead of Euro 2024 qualifiers against Armenia and Turkey.
"I tried to get him on camp (in March) because you want your best players around you.
"He definitely falls into that category. We knew we had to manage it.
"You don't go through what he's gone through and not have little setbacks. Bournemouth have been incredible with the way they have handled it and got him back up to speed. It's great that we have got him available."
Elsewhere in the Wales squad, captain Aaron Ramsey is included and there are returns for Brennan Johnson and Ben Davies, who were left out of the March squad with injuries.
Ramsey has missed Nice's last three games with a calf problem and is expected to be absent again when the Ligue 1 club conclude their season against Lyon on Sunday.
Goalkeeper Danny Ward features despite fitness concerns. Ward was ruled out of the final three games of Leicester's ill-fated Premier League run-in with a dislocated finger.
Neco Williams has also been called up after picking up a season-ending jaw injury for Nottingham Forest last month.
Page said last week that he wanted clarity from Forest whether full-back Williams could make next month's Euro double-header.
There is no place for Tom Lockyer, who was in line for a recall but collapsed early in Luton's Championship play-off final win over Coventry on Saturday.
Uncapped players Joe Low, Morgan Fox, Luke Harris and Liam Cullen have also been named in the Wales squad.
Page's side take on Armenia and Turkey in their Euro 2024 qualifiers next month. Wales take on Armenia in Cardiff on June 16 before travelling to Samsun for their second game three days later.
Wales squad for June Euro 2024 qualifiers
Goalkeepers: Wayne Hennessy (Nottingham Forest), Danny Ward (Leicester City), Adam Davies (Sheffield United)
Defenders: Joe Rodon (Rennes, on loan from Tottenham Hotspur), Ben Cabango (Swansea), Chris Mepham (Bournemouth), Joe Low (Bristol City), Connor Roberts (Burnley), Morgan Fox (unattached), Neco Williams (Nottingham Forest), Ben Davies (Tottenham)
Midfielders: Ethan Ampadu (Spezia, on loan from Chelsea), Joe Morrell (Portsmouth), Jordan James (Birmingham), Dan James (Fulham, on loan from Leeds), Nathan Broadhead (Ipswich), Aaron Ramsey (captain, Nice)
Forwards: Harry Wilson (Fulham), Ollie Cooper (Swansea), Luke Harris (Fulham), Brennan Johnson (Nottingham Forest), David Brooks (Bournemouth), Liam Cullen (Swansea), Kieffer Moore (Bournemouth), Tom Bradshaw (Millwall)
Luton captain Lockyer remains in hospital
Luton Town captain Lockyer remains in hospital after collapsing on the pitch during Saturday's Championship play-off final victory over Coventry City at Wembley, manager Rob Edwards said on Tuesday.
The 28-year-old Lockyer was taken to hospital after falling to the turf with no player around him 12 minutes into the game Luton eventually won on penalties to reach the Premier League.
"He's OK. He is still in hospital at the moment. He is having lots of tests and checks. He is with the best people," Edwards told BBC 5 Live.
"We have all been in touch with him and speaking to him every day. As you can imagine the lads, the staff, doctors and physios. When he was texting me last night he was expecting to come out today, not sure if that is definitely the case right now but that is what he was saying to me so we will see."
