After a Series of Setbacks, Holden Stages a Comeback As the 2012-13 season draws to a close, the American midfielder Stuart Holden is looking to finish a rocky journey that has tested his limits both physically and mentally. At the start of 2010, Holden was an emerging star both internationally and with Bolton in the Premier League. But the downward spiral started in March 2010 when he sustained his first major injury in a friendly against the Netherlands. In that game, a harsh tackle from Nigel De Jong broke a bone in his leg, which limited his ability to be fully fit for the World Cup. The next year, in March 2011, Holden returned to strong form with Bolton, but a tackle from Manchester United's Jonny Evans tore Holden's anterior cruciate ligament. Six months later, in his first game back, Holden experienced a major setback when he had postgame discomfort and tests revealed further structural damage to his knee. The injury required mircofracture surgery. During his rehabilitation in the United States, Holden underwent another arthroscopic procedure to repair the knee's meniscus. "I had a lot of ups and downs in my rehab," Holden said. Last summer I was hitting the threshold that my knee wasn't letting me get past. It wasn't that I feared retirement; it was a sense of frustration and despair. Your natural instinct as a player and as a competitor is to panic. The experts assured me I'd get through it. It wasn't only the experts who assured him. One of Holden's strongest sources of support was his brother Euan, who also plays professionally in England, with Bury. Euan was there when Stuart was informed that the microfracture was worse than feared. "When Bolton's doctor first broke the devastating news of his injury, though teary eyed, Stu held strong until we were left on our own," Euan Holden said. He let it all out. We got in the car and drove around for hours clearing his head and telling ourselves it was going to be a long haul but nothing was going to stop him from stepping back out on the pitch again. Euan's assurances finally came true in January when Stuart stepped onto the field in a competitive game as a substitute for Bolton in a 2-0 F.A. Cup win over Sunderland. Earlier this month, however, Bolton loaned Holden to Sheffield Wednesday with the goal of getting him playing time. Wednesday has been mired in a relegation fight in the League Championship, but a string of positive results since Holden arrived has moved the club four points clear of the drop zone. "There's no pain anymore," Holden said. I'm happy to say I'm 100 percent now in terms of my knee structure. It's now more a matter of fine tuning it. I'll always be doing my strength exercises to ensure the longevity of my knee. I feel that every game I'm getting back to where I was, and I'm getting fitter and stronger. Playing either central midfield or on the right, Holden has started four games for Wednesday, playing between 60 and 70 minutes. For the Scottish-born, Texas-raised American, it has been the perfect step in his recovery to join a club fighting relegation, where the games are important. "I wouldn't want it any other way," Holden said. I've played in a few reserve games, but they don't have the same intensity or speed of play. Every game is important at this stage. In that respect it has really gotten me back up to speed. I certainly feel like a footballer again. Holden's loan to Sheffield Wednesday is set to expire next week, and it is unclear what the next step for him will be. There are reports that Wednesday is seeking to extend his loan; Bolton has also publicly stated its desire to sign Holden to a new contract. Bolton's current situation is far better than Wednesday's, as it sits one point out of a promotion playoff spot. It is still possible that Holden could return to Bolton for a potential playoff run that could mean a return to the Premier League after being relegated last year. "It's a massive club so obviously it's an honor to play for Sheffield Wednesday," Holden said. It's a short-term loan, but I wanted to make sure that when I came here I got better as a player and I contributed to the team. My main focus right now is Sheffield Wednesday, but when I get recalled back to Bolton, I'll be in better position to contribute. Hopefully we can make a late run and get back up to the Premier League. Holden's return to the field has been welcome news to Bolton and Sheffield Wednesday, and it could be welcome as well to the United States national team. Coach Jurgen Klinsmann spoke with Holden recently and has been closely monitoring his progress. Last week he sent his assistant, Andreas Herzog, to watch Holden play. Holden's goal is to be involved with the United States team during its busy schedule this summer. His last international appearance was in 2010, but his return could be a huge addition for a team that has struggled maintaining possession against quality teams. "He told me to push it as far as I can in terms of getting as many games as I can, keep working hard to push myself to higher levels and higher standards," Holden said of his discussions with Klinsmann. Hopefully at some point if I can keep playing games, I can be involved with something for the U.S. this summer. He said of watching the United States team while injured: "I tried not to watch the games, but I'm soccer fan as well as a player. No matter how much I didn't want to watch the games, over a two year period it kind of depresses you sometimes in terms of not being able to play. You get over that, and I wanted to support my friends and teammates. Whenever the national team was playing, I'd watch. Now, there is an opportunity for Holden to return to being the player who excelled in the Premier League. The pain is gone, and he now believes it is just matter of getting back into the rhythm and wiping away the rust. His optimism won't hurt. "I think it's just a case maintaining perspective and realizing what I have," Holden said. I'm still playing football for a living. I've worked so hard to get to this point. In an ideal world I wish they didn't happen, but at the same time there's nothing I can do to change that. You can't let that consume you or get you down. It's a downward spiral from there. In that respect, I've always seen the positive in things. Added Euan: "Things are going great for him at the moment. Personally I think he will be better than he ever was before. After enduring what he has, with the ability he possesses, it's only a matter of time before he's back on top. Follow Brian Sciaretta on Twitter.