Rising star is ready to take the strain off Bale

RYAN GIGGS believes David Brooks can ease the burden on Gareth Bale.

Brooks won his eighth Wales cap against Denmark in the Nations League on Friday.

Real Madrid superstar and Wales’ record scorer Bale struck his 31st goal in the 2-1 home defeat.

But Bournemouth starlet Brooks was arguably Wales’ best performer on the night with a series of dangerous runs, crosses and efforts on goal.

And boss Giggs believes the 21-year-old is a huge talent capable of inspiring the Dragons and unlocking defences, which are usually on the alert for Bale.

Excites

“David Brooks excites the fans and excites me,” said Giggs, ahead of tomorrow’s friendly in Albania.

“Every time he gets the ball something is going to happen.

“He had a bit of time out last year with glandular fever but you can see the talent is there.

“David can be anything he wants to be. He is at a good club with a good manager and has everything going for him.

“But he is still young, he is going to have good games and not-so-good games because he is still learning.”

Brooks is as unfazed on the international stage as in the Premier League after adjusting superbly following a £12m summer switch from Sheffield United.

He has three goals to his name already, helping Eddie Howe’s Cherries to sixth in the Premier League.

Giggs added: “I saw Bournemouth play Cardiff in the first game of the season and I sat next to his chairman and said, ‘You’ve got a bargain’.

“A £12m deal is a bargain because he is a talent and he will just get better and better.

“He’s an exciting player and he’s at the right club to show what he is capable of.

“He can play in the No.10 role and he even played in midfield at Sheffield United before that.

“He’s an intelligent player who can play in different roles across the three and even in the deeper role.”

Brooks has said that he intends to bulk up in future like Bale has done.

But Giggs has warned against him putting on too much muscle.

“He is bigger than you think,” said Giggs. I wasn’t the biggest of players and nobody told me to bulk up.”

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