March 03, 2014 | By Chris Mann

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Holden Returns As Bolton Host Everton

Stuart Holden lasted just 23 minutes on his return to action, as a knee injury forced him off during Bolton's development squad match against Everton.

Holden was making his first appearance for Wanderers since returning from a cruciate knee ligament injury he suffered playing for the United States last July, but was forced into ending his night early after breaking down on the middle of the Reebok Stadium pitch.

The 28-year-old began to struggle on 20 minutes, as he clutched the back of his right knee after playing a pass out to Hayden White on the flank. He picked himself up and continued, but was on the turf again five minutes later after stretching for a loose ball and collapsing to the turf.

Holden managed to rise to his feet once again, before the decision was taken to replace him with Luke Woodland.

The former Houston Dynamo midfielder left the field of his own accord, as he jogged back down the tunnel, but his previous history of knee issues is surely a concern as the club await news of the injury.

Wanderers would go on to lose the game 3-2.

Bolton Wanderers U21: Lee-Barrett, Threlkeld, Kellett, White, Holding, Vela, Lester (Walker 85), Holden (Woodland 23), Clough (A Knight 82), Iliev, Hall

Subs Not Used: Campbell, Maher

Goals: Iliev 41,52

Everton U21: Springthorpe, Touray, Garbutt, Ledson, Pennington, Browning, Kennedy, Williams, Hope, McAleny (Jones 90), C Duffus (Charsley 78)

Subs Not Used: Griffiths, T Duffus, Dyson

Goals: Garbutt 29(pen), Kennedy 54, McAleny 64