Coyle backs Holden to come back stronger (From The Bolton News)

Coyle backs Holden to come back stronger

10:30am Friday 5th March 2010 in

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STUART Holden has been ruled out for up to six weeks with a fractured right leg in the latest injury to rock Bolton.

The midfielder was carried off in the United States’ 2-1 friendly defeat against Holland on Wednesday night.

Holden only made his Whites’ debut nine days ago against Tottenham in the Carling Cup after joining on a short-term deal from Houston Dynamo.

While Owen Coyle believes the 24-year-old could return to play this season, a six-week absence would mean there would only be four games remaining.

The manager also hopes Holden will be fit for this summer’s World Cup, but it is another major setback for the club, who lost Gary Cahill last month with a blood clot in his arm.

“It’s a body blow for Stuart because he has come in for the last two games and he has been terrific which I knew he would be,” said Coyle, who confirmed Holden’s contract had been extended through to the end of next season.

“The disappointing thing for him is that he was starting to establish himself in the team. But my primary concern is for Stuart and I know he will come back bigger and better for it. He will still have a few weeks, hopefully, to help us towards the end of the campaign and get himself fit for the World Cup.”

Holden, born in Scotland but raised in Texas, fractured his fibula in a challenge with Nigel de Jong.

But the Manchester City midfielder, who was booked for the tackle, insists it was an accident. He said: “Such offences are part of football. I went for the ball and got the opponent at the end.”

Cahill, meanwhile, is expected to return to training in 10 days after undergoing minor surgery to remove a small piece of his rib which was restricting his blood flow.