DAVID Brooks admitted his decision to join Saints aided his Wales selection chances after they beat Finland 4-1 to set up a Euro 2024 qualifying playoff final against Poland.

The 26 year old set his country on course for a vital victory in Cardiff when he pounced on Harry Wilson's parried effort to put Wales ahead on three minutes.

He then set up Brennan Johnson for Wales' third goal right after halftime, although his assist looked more like a miss-hit shot than an attempted layoff. 

Brooks has now provided 10 goal contributions (four goals and six assists) in his last 10 games for club and country.

“It’s a very good start to the camp," he admitted. "We wanted to get into the final and qualify for the Euros so this is a very good step.

“We have another very big game on Tuesday so now it’s about getting right for that game. I want to get goals and assists - I should have had a second goal rather than the assist.

“But I can’t really complain because it was a good team performance and we are through to the final.”

Brooks was somewhat of a surprise selection in Wales' starting lineup on Tuesday evening as manager Rob Page elected to go for pace rather than power. 

He lined up alongside Johnson and Wilson in a fluid front three as Dan James and Kieffer Moore, who were expected to start, began on the bench. 

Daily Echo: David Brooks put Wales ahead on three minutes in CardiffDavid Brooks put Wales ahead on three minutes in Cardiff (Image: PA)

Brooks’ 60-minute performance vindicated Page’s selection. In addition to notching his fourth international goal, the Saints loanee posed a constant threat to the Finish back line.

Despite getting the nod ahead of his promotion rivals, Brooks insisted he would have been happy to provide an impact from the bench. 

He explained: “(I knew) one or two days before. At club level, we are all doing our best to try and get into the starting lineup.

READ MORE: Brooks hoping to beat Southampton teammate to Euros with Wales

“To be honest, if it had been anyone else I couldn’t complain because all the forward lads have been in good form. 

“I was thankful to get the nod and thankfully I could repay him (Rob Page) 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."

The reward for Wales is a home playoff final against Poland on March 26, with the winner going on to Group D at Euro 2024. 

Tuesday night’s fixture against Michal Probierz’s side will see Southampton’s number 36 take on teammate Jan Bednarek. 

“They (Poland) are a good team with good players, but we are also a good team with good players," Brooks concluded.

“They’ll be looking at us as a big threat as well. We will look at clips and start putting together the game plan for Tuesday. 

"Everyone in there wants to play at the Euros again. We are all pulling in the same direction.”