STUART Holden has vowed to return stronger than ever as he prepares to take his final step before a first team comeback.

Nearly six months after a reckless challenge by Manchester United’s Jonny Evans at Old Trafford left him requiring 27 stitches, with a fractured leg and needing surgery on his knee joint, the US international, pictured, will turn out against Rochdale for the reserves tonight in the more modest surroundings of Leyland.

Such has been the progress of his recovery, his appearance in the Manchester Senior Cup will be billed as a dress rehearsal for a return against the Reds on Saturday evening.

If he comes through the test, the 26-year-old will put himself in contention for a place in Owen Coyle’s squad for the visit of the reigning champions on Saturday evening.

Despite his ordeal, Holden insists he will not be treading lightly, nor changing the whole-hearted style that made him such a fans favourite in his first full season at the Reebok.

“I’ll never change the way I play,” he said. “I’ll always be a committed player, but sometimes you’ve got to look at some of the challenges that maybe you can’t win and maybe you don’t go into.

“My legs are stronger now and bigger than before and I think I’m even quicker than I was before. For all the knock-backs I’ve had I’ve seemed to come back stronger and better in some way and hopefully this is no different.”

Speaking after he completed 80 minutes for the reserves against Fulham last week, the midfielder spoke about what it meant to be making a playing return ahead of schedule.

“It’s amazing,” he said. “Just that feeling of having players running at you, to tackle you, and just being in the game and having your adrenaline pumping again and getting involved in a few tackles. Just all of it.

“You don’t realise how much you miss football when you’re injured, that feeling of stepping back out on the pitch.”