Bolton and USA international midfielder Stuart Holden has traveled back the U.S. to have an examination after experiencing discomfort in his right knee during a U-21 game on Mondaynight. Holden started the home game against Everton in what was his first appearance since tearing his right ACL during the USA’s 1-0 win against Panama in the Concacaf Gold Cup final lastAugust. The 28-year-old was in discomfort when he fell to the turf in the 23rd minute and was replaced by Luke Woodland. Bolton confirmed on Tuesday that the 28-year-old will undergoa scan before meeting with Dr. Bert Mandelbaum, the surgeon who operated on him last summer.
This was the latest in a string of injuries for the USA midfielder. Holdenfirst had his right leg broken on a tackle by the Netherlands’ Nigel de Jong during an international friendly in March 2010, but returned to make the U.S. World Cup team, where hemade one appearance in the Americans’ 1-1 draw against England. He then injured his left knee against Manchester United during a tackle by Jonny Evans in March 2011, returned fromsurgery for a League Cup game against Aston Villa that September, but needed more surgery eight days later.
Holden would come back again in January 2013 to make three substituteappearances for Bolton, four starts during a one-month loan to Sheffield Wednesday, and another short substitute stint for Bolton. He rejoined the U.S. national team as a substitute in an exhibitionagainst Belgium on May 29, then played extensively in the Gold Cup before suffering the ACL tear to his right knee in the competition’s final.