BOLTON, England — U.S. coach Jurgen Klinsmann hailed Stuart Holden as “exactly the type of player the national team wants” as the midfielder prepared for his return to the English Premier League (EPL) after more than six months on the sidelines.
Holden has been out of action since damaging his knee in Bolton’s league clash with Manchester United in March.
Klinsmann checked on the 26-year-old international’s fitness Wednesday night during a rainy run out in the Bolton reserve team, the second tune-up game with which the club hopes to move the American closer to first-team soccer.
The German was encouraged by Holden’s performance, but warned against rushing the player back into the national team ahead of schedule.
“He’s getting closer and closer, but I’m not looking to get him in the United States squad as soon as possible,” he told Bolton’s official website. “He’s certainly in my plans, but I’m sure I’m one of many who don’t want to rush him back.”
But Klinsmann said Holden set the template for other players hoping to earn an international call-up to live up to.
“He’s a very good character, has a professional attitude and constantly wants to improve his game,” he said. “That’s exactly the type of player the national team wants. We’re building a young team in the United States and he definitely fits into that.”
Bolton boss Owen Coyle said, “It will be a tremendous boost when we get [Holden] back, and for Jurgen Klinsmann to make that trip when it was pouring down and to stay all night to watch the game is all credit to him. He showed his class, and there is no doubt that Stuart will reward him when he is fully fit with big performances for the national team.”
