Holden to miss six months

Bolton Wanderers will be without Stuart Holden for six months after the midfielder suffered a knee injury on Saturday.

Holden sustained the injury in a crunching Jonny Evans tackle during Bolton’s 1-0 defeat in the English Premier League encounter at Old Trafford.

The 25-year-old needed 26 stitches in a wound and will undergo further surgery on Monday, with the nature of the injury still unknown.

Holden, capped 17 times by the United States, missed six weeks of last season with a broken right fibula.

“I can promise you all I will come back stronger and better than before,” Holden said via Twitter.

“I have had bad luck in the past and will continue to beat it.”

Holden will miss the rest of the Premier League season and Bolton’s FA Cup semi-final against Stoke City on April 17.

He will also be unavailable for the United States’ CONCACAF Gold Cup campaign in June.

“First and foremost, our main concern is Stuart and his recovery,” Bolton manager Owen Coyle said.

“He will get all the time and support he needs. Stuart has been outstanding this season and has shown he is one of the best midfielders in the Premier League.”

“He has such desire, strength of character and a winning mentality and he will draw on those attributes in his rehabilitation.”

Holden revealed via Twitter on Monday that he had received an apology from Jonny Evans and does not harbour a grudge against the Northern Ireland defender.

“Just had a sincere phone call from Evans wishing me the best in my recovery, def wasn’t intentional, just unfortunate part of the game,” he said.