STUART Holden believes he can beat his latest injury to be a force for Wanderers this season – and hopes he can even claim a place at next Summer’s World Cup finals.

When the midfielder tore his cruciate ligament playing for the US in the Gold Cup final in July it was feared he may not play again this season.

But speaking on Fox Sports over the weekend, he gave Wanderers a massive boost by revealing his recovery bid is doing much better than initially expected.

The Bolton News understands Holden is due to return to England in the next four to six weeks and if the medical staff are happy with his fitness levels, a return to action by early February is not out of the question.

After battling back from two serious setbacks with his left knee, the current injury to his right knee appears more straightforward and Holden has spoken confidently about a return to full duties well before the end of the Championship campaign.

“I tore my ACL in the (Gold Cup) final and, for me, it was a major setback,” he said. “It was crushing at the time, but, once again, I know what I have to do to get myself healthy and there's no unknowns like there was with my last injuries. The surgery has been done and I’m now nine weeks post-op.

“I’m doing some great work rehab-wise. I have just started slow jogging and building my strength up, and the next two to three months are going to be exciting for me because I’ll be getting back to playing.

“The plan is, by December, I’m looking to be back out on the field. I’m stepping up my rehab, in terms of doing some ball work, stepping up my fitness and getting that core fitness back just to make sure that my knee is comfortable in cutting in and all the hard turns and little things you experience in a game.”

News that Holden’s comeback may be earlier than expected will be music to the ears of Wanderers fans but the 28-year-old also had another target in mind.

Jurgen Klinsmann’s side clinched qualification for next summer’s tournament in Brazil last month but sealed top spot in the group with a 2-0 win over Jamaica on Friday – ending Jermaine Beckford’s World Cup chances.

Holden has fixed his sights on making the 23-man squad after excelling in the summer at the Gold Cup.

“100 per cent,” he said. “You always like to dangle a carrot in front of yourself and that certainly is mine.

“I did it last time. I broke my leg eight weeks before the World Cup in South Africa and made it back to that team, and that’s definitely a big goal for me.

“I told Jurgen I’ll be on that plane to Brazil. And I don’t plan to go back on my word.”