Source: PA
Holden out for a hero tag
Bolton midfielder Stuart Holden hopes he can build on his World Cup experience by making a name for himself in the Barclays Premier League this season.
Holden's international commitments disrupted his Wanderers career soon after his arrival at the Reebok Stadium in January, with a fractured fibula he sustained while playing for the United States ruling him out for more than two months.
At that stage he had made only two appearances for his new club, but Holden - who previously played for the Houston Dynamo in Major League Soccer - returned to the Bolton squad to face Birmingham on the last day of the season before coming off the bench in the USA's 1-1 draw against England in South Africa.
Now with the benefit of a World Cup campaign behind him, the 25-year-old is aiming to show he can cut it in the English top flight.
"Coming in last season in January I had some injuries but got a little bit of a taste of the Premier League games," Holden said. "It's really nice to have the World Cup under my belt, have had a little break and now to come back feeling fully healthy into a side that is looking to push on and do better than last year.
"I started in the MLS, made a name for myself there and then broke on to the international scene. I think now, having played in the Premier League a little bit last year, I really want to make an impact this year to show that I can play at this level week in week out."
