Stuart Holden’s excellent season with the Bolton Wanderers has come to an end. The American midfielder will be out for six months after suffering a dangerous studs-up tackle from Jonny Evans during Saturday’s match against Manchester United.
Evans was shown a straight red card, while Holden was carted off the field, with a gash on his knee that required 26 stitches to close. Subsequent scans revealed ligament damage, though no breaks. Holden will undergo surgery today and then a lengthy recovery, but doesn’t blame Evans for the incident. “Just had a sincere phone call from Jonny Evans wishing me the best in my recovery, def wasn’t intentional, just unfortunate part of the game,” the Houston native tweeted this morning.
Holden is no stranger to the IR list. When he played for Sunderland in 2005, he sustained a fractured eye socket after being attacked in the street. Later that same season, an ankle injury put him on the bench once again. Last year he was out for six weeks with a broken leg after a sloppy tackle from Dutch defender Nigel de Jong during an international friendly, an injury that effectively put him out of World Cup play. However, since his recovery, he’s been ranked among the top midfielders in the world’s best league.
Bolton manager Owen Coyle told the club’s official website: “First and foremost our main concern is for Stuart and his recovery. He will get all the time and support that he needs.
“Stuart has been outstanding for me this season and he has shown in his performances that he is one of the best midfielders in the Barclays Premier League.
“He has such desire, strength of character and a winning mentality, and he will draw on all those attributes in his rehabilitation.”