Fireside Chats: Stu Holden on His Glorious Return Plus Highlights

Can you tell that we're excited?

Dougie Freedman praises Stu Holden performance

When all was said and done, Stu Holden had put in just over an hour of play on the field. It was about the same amount of time that he played a few weeks ago in a closed-door match against Wigan. This time, Holden was on display and according to people at the ground and manager Dougie Freedman, Holden looked good.

Speaking in the Bolton News, Dougie shared his take:

"It was great to see him out there. To get 65 minutes, we are very pleased, and a very good 65 minutes at that. I thought he was very influential in the game as well.

"Having been out for so long but to be involved in most of the match is very encouraging and also very pleasing for Stuart."

Dougie also warned the fans to not expect too much right away as Holden has been out for a long, long time. However, the signs from training have been encouraging:

"We have got to remember that because he's been out for so long, we have to put Stuart first and foremost. He has got to be given time and he has been given that. And he has to be given a pat on the back as well.

"All round it was a very pleasing night. We have put him into some very tough training sessions. We put him under a lot of pressure and stress.

"There are different ways of treating people. We have put him in losing teams to see how he reacts; we've put him in overload teams and young teams to see how he reacts.

"But he has come through that because that's the type of guy he is. We are training Stuart with every possible way and he is coming through the tests with flying colours."

Finally, Freedman shared his praise for Bolton's medical staff. Despite the fact that Holden spent the majority of his rehabilitation Stateside, Bolton's medical team was in constant contact with him and were very involved in his progress:

"They have been fantastic in working with him. I have only been here a few months and I can see they are a very good medical staff.

"To bring Stuart back from such a long lay-off and to keep him at a good fitness level before he hits the grass is very crucial. He has not far to go."

RETURN OF THE KING: BOLTON RESERVES vs OLDHAM RESERVES

The return of Stuart Holden to action has been anticipated for nigh on two years and we sent our man in the stands to run a keen eye over his performance.

Holden completes 60 minutes in reserve run out

Stuart Holden's return for Bolton Wanderers' reserves is now complete and he has gone off the field. Bolton Wanderers are 2-0 up on Oldham Athletic at the County Ground in Leyland thanks to Chris Lester and Jack Sampson. Holden completed 70 minutes and looked comfortable on the field.

When Holden was involved in the play (which wasn't a huge amount), our man at the match, Chris Manning, described him as "running the show." Most importantly, Holden was looking fit. There were a few tweet after the match about Holden's knee but Chris, who is at the ground, is refuting that.

In all of the commotion about Holden, we don't want you to forget that young Josh Vela was also a part of the action for the reserves. He looked "solid" on the field, as Chris described him. We can't wait to see what he can do for Bolton in hopefully the near future. Vela ended up going 75 minutes.

There is a chance that these players will see action against Sunderland.

Holden looking fit in reserve start (with photo)

A brief report from the County Ground in Leyland as Bolton Wanderers are (currently) leading Oldham Athletic 1-0 in a Manchester Senior Cup clash. Both Josh Vela and Stu Holden are making their long-awaited returns from their respective knee injuries. Stu Holden is wearing the number 6 shirt and the Captain's armband.

Chris Manning, who is at the ground, said that Holden looks "fit and healthy and is running the show." Others at the ground are chiming in on Twitter saying that Holden had a comfortable first half. Others are saying that Holden really looks up for it and has been passing the ball really well.

Holden is still a few weeks away from a full first team return but this appearance (for both him and Josh Vela) is a massive step forward. The two will not get any time against Millwall at the weekend but could see some minutes in the FA Cup replay vs. Sunderland next tuesday.

-Photo by Chris Manning

The photo is a bit blurry, yes, but it's dark and shot with a cell phone. Also, it's better than nothing. Also, it's Stu!

Stu Holden starts in reserve match for Bolton Wanderers