Holden not due back now until October

[Lofthouse Lower]

Gulp

OWEN Coyle accepts he may have to do without Stuart Holden until October.

The highly-rated US international has stepped up his recovery from a serious knee injury back home in Houston and has set a personal target of mid-September to make his first team return.

But Coyle is reluctant to set any strict deadlines for the 25-year-old, who missed the last two months of last season after being stretchered off against Manchester United at Old Trafford, and believes he may have to do without his midfield ace for the first six games of the campaign.

Wanderers have a daunting start to the Premier League season, facing Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal in August and September.

And while Holden hopes to be back in Coyle's plans by the time the Whites host Chelsea at the start of October, the manager is wary of cranking up the pressure.

“Stuart's like a kindred spirit, so positive in his outlook and in everything he does,” he told The Bolton News. “I love that about him.

“He's optimistic and he is improving no doubt about it but we have to make sure we pick the right moment to bring him back and not push him at all.

“Stu has targeted the middle of September. My medical lads are a wee bit more wary because they think if he doesn't come back then I'll go off my head, and they're right because I want my players back as soon as possible.

“If we get him back at that point I'd be absolutely thrilled, and the same goes for Sam Ricketts as well, but we might just have to be a bit patient.”

Holden's campaign was ended in March after a horrific clash with Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.

He required more than 20 stitches in a thigh wound, but serious damage was also done to the knee joint itself, and the consequent surgery saw the player on crutches for the next six weeks.

Now back running in the gym – albeit on a high-tech “bubble” machine which enables him to train at 65 per cent his bodyweight - the current Wanderers player of the year looks to be making steps in the right direction.

And that will come as sweet music to the ears of Coyle, who saw his side win just two of nine games after the American was consigned to the sidelines.

“Let's not get away from it, we've all seen the effect not having him in the team had on us last season,” the manager said. “Sometimes you find that with players, and I've said this about Kevin Davies as well, but when they play all the time you start to take them for granted.

“You just don't realise just how much they bring to your team until they are not there.”

So we're left with (at present) Muamba, M Davies and Davis

Frightened

Worried

Scared

[ohjimmyjimmy]

I'd made peace with the fact he wouldnt be ready til around November anyway, so this is reasonable news. As long as i dont think about our current midfield...which you cant make me do.

[Hoboh]

Gulp

OWEN Coyle accepts he may have to do without Stuart Holden until October.

The highly-rated US international has stepped up his recovery from a serious knee injury back home in Houston and has set a personal target of mid-September to make his first team return.

But Coyle is reluctant to set any strict deadlines for the 25-year-old, who missed the last two months of last season after being stretchered off against Manchester United at Old Trafford, and believes he may have to do without his midfield ace for the first six games of the campaign.

Wanderers have a daunting start to the Premier League season, facing Manchester City, Liverpool, Manchester United and Arsenal in August and September.

And while Holden hopes to be back in Coyle's plans by the time the Whites host Chelsea at the start of October, the manager is wary of cranking up the pressure.

“Stuart's like a kindred spirit, so positive in his outlook and in everything he does,” he told The Bolton News. “I love that about him.

“He's optimistic and he is improving no doubt about it but we have to make sure we pick the right moment to bring him back and not push him at all.

“Stu has targeted the middle of September. My medical lads are a wee bit more wary because they think if he doesn't come back then I'll go off my head, and they're right because I want my players back as soon as possible.

“If we get him back at that point I'd be absolutely thrilled, and the same goes for Sam Ricketts as well, but we might just have to be a bit patient.”

Holden's campaign was ended in March after a horrific clash with Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.

He required more than 20 stitches in a thigh wound, but serious damage was also done to the knee joint itself, and the consequent surgery saw the player on crutches for the next six weeks.

Now back running in the gym – albeit on a high-tech “bubble” machine which enables him to train at 65 per cent his bodyweight - the current Wanderers player of the year looks to be making steps in the right direction.

And that will come as sweet music to the ears of Coyle, who saw his side win just two of nine games after the American was consigned to the sidelines.

“Let's not get away from it, we've all seen the effect not having him in the team had on us last season,” the manager said. “Sometimes you find that with players, and I've said this about Kevin Davies as well, but when they play all the time you start to take them for granted.
“You just don't realise just how much they bring to your team until they are not there.”

So we're left with (at present) Muamba, M Davies and Davis

Frightened

Worried

Scared

THAT confirms we have 1 spot open for a forward next season
Owen your starting to worry me and I suspect a few others

[BWFC_Insane]

I suspect he won't play till November/December time.

Did anyone expect him back earlier than October?

Add Pratley to that list LL, you may as well!

[Lofthouse Lower]

Doesn't make me any less afraid! Not until I've seen him play anyway

[mighty_whites]

We're so early in the transfer window, have some faith in OC he will bag us some quality signings this season, reckon he's going under the radar to ward off competitors. Granted we do need at least 6 players in imo but think he will see us through. Plus would rather play the bigger teams at the start of season than over the xmas period or when there just starting build up some steam.

[thebish]

We're so early in the transfer window, have some faith in OC he will bag us some quality signings this season, reckon he's going under the radar to ward off competitors. Granted we do need at least 6 players in imo but think he will see us through. Plus would rather play the bigger teams at the start of season than over the xmas period or when there just starting build up some steam.

during that period when we are still trying to bed in all these new players...

[Dave Sutton's barnet]

Less worried about the middle than the front

Suspect there'll be a bit of waiting around yet, too

[Tombwfc]

Given how these things can rumble on indefinately, I'll be happy to see him back before the end of the year.

I'm not overly worried about the midfield, Muamba and Davies will be fine together. The other two obviously have their own question marks above their heads, but really we have bigger problems.

[bobo the clown]

Given how these things can rumble on indefinately, I'll be happy to see him back before the end of the year.

Agreed.

I think his injury was a massive one & if he's up & at 'em before 2012 I'll see that as a result.

[seanworth]

Given how these things can rumble on indefinately, I'll be happy to see him back before the end of the year.

Agreed.

I think his injury was a massive one & if he's up & at 'em before 2012 I'll see that as a result.

Might take quite a while after his return before he is as effective as before the knee injury. The injury sounds more serious than I initially thought.

[Wandering Willy]

I don't understand - it only took Nani a week to recover from his horrific injury.

[pmaherusa]

He was a commentator for the Gold Cup final between US and Mexico. Great to watch (but not the game. horrid performance from the US after going up 2-0).

He says his training is going very well and it seems like he'll be back on time in September or whatever. Follow him on twitter, it's great.

[m_taylor]

Not sure if this has been posted else where:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qyLYshtw ... re=related" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;

[Lofthouse Lower]

MNT?

[Athers]

Men's National Team

[Lofthouse Lower]

Gotcher

[TKIZ!]

http://bolton.theoffside.com/team-news/ ... dmill.html" onclick="window.open(this.href);return false;?

We've gone all 2001: Space Odyssey

[thebish]

http://bolton.theoffside.com/team-news/ ... dmill.html?

We've gone all 2001: Space Odyssey

I read a book on Anti-gravity treadmills just the other day... really interesting...

couldn't put it down...

[Lofthouse Lower]