Stuart Holden Lands in Bolton After Finishing Rehab Stint in America, Return Date Unkown

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Apr 4, 2012

Stuart Holden Lands in Bolton After Finishing Rehab Stint in America, Return Date UnkownWhen Stuart Holden suffered a knee injury in March 2011, he thought it would keep him out of action for the rest of the 2010-11 season. He never imagined it would cost him the better part of 12 months.

Such is the Bolton and U.S. national team midfielder’s injury misery, but he is on the road to recovery. Holden has completed a specialized rehab program and returned to Bolton from America on Wednesday, according Goal.com.

Holden thought he had recovered from his first injury — suffered in a clash with Manchester United’s Jonny Evans — last fall. He played one game in October before a routine checkup discovered extensive cartilage damage. He underwent another procedure, which ruled him out a further six months, before beginning another long road back to recovery.

The 26-year-old recently spent three months working out on his own with an American specialist. Although he has made great progress, neither the club nor player has set a return date.

“My trainer in America, James Hashimoto, had done a good job of mixing things up to keep it interesting,” Holden said. “He was the head trainer for the U.S. national team for quite a few World Cups and now he has got his own clinic in Delaware where he specializes in rehab.

“He has been in constant contact with the medical team here at Bolton and the great thing is that everyone has been working together and have kept each other in the loop. They have been discussing every stage of my rehab and there has been a firm plan.

Bolton is in the midst of another relegation struggle. It sorely has missed the Scottish-born Texan, who was a key player in the team last season. It’s unlikely that Holden will play again this season, but he should be healthy enough to participate in Bolton’s preseason this summer.

“I’ve been really happy with the way that it has all panned out. Now I’m really excited to get back here and push on with the next step of my work with the club’s medical staff,” he said.

“A lot of people have asked when I’m going to be back playing and I don’t have a definitive answer. I’m not really worried about that because my focus is all about making sure I’m fully fit once I do get back on the pitch.”

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Photo via Twitter/@OfficialBWFC

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