AMSTERDAM – Bolton Wanderers expect midfield ace Stuart Holden to miss roughly six months from Saturday's reckless red-card challenge by Manchester United defender Jonny Evans.
The two met up in a fierce 50-50 collision late in United's 1-0 home win, but the Red Devil left the ground with all studs up. Evans caught Holden flush in the knee with his weight behind the tackle, leaving behind a large, visible gash and a more serious injury the club is keeping hidden for now.
"It's a bad knee injury," a Bolton spokesperson told MLSsoccer.com on Monday. "He will be out through the end of the season and through preseason — about six months."
Holden, who was scheduled for surgery on Monday, will also miss this summer's CONCACAF Gold Cup. The US midfielder revealed via Twitter that Evans made an apologetic call and that he held no grudge against the Manchester United player.
Despite the seriousness of the resulting injury, Bolton are not expecting any league sanctions against Evans for the incident.
"As far as I know, there's not going to be any further action," the spokesperson said.
Seventh-placed Bolton will start making do without Holden when they travel to Birmingham City on Saturday.
