Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden was thrilled with his playing comeback this week - despite losing 7-0 to Fulham reserves!
Withdrawn after 78 minutes, the 26-year-old has now set his sights on more reserve team action with next week's clash against Rochdale in the Manchester Senior Cup the next fixture on the second string's schedule.
"I've set goals and I've achieved them along the way," Holden told the club's official website after the game.
"This was another one of those goals, playing in a reserve game and I can't tell you how good it felt to be out there kicking a football, running around and tackling other players.
"On a personal note it was amazing for me to get out there and get back into the swing of things. To come through 78 minutes of action unscathed with my knee feeling good is a real step forward.
"I obviously wasn't going to be as sharp as I was five months ago. I felt prior to my injury at Old Trafford I had been playing the best football of my career. It's going to take a little bit of time fitness-wise, but I'm not too far off.
"Overall I felt good and I didn't come off because of tiredness or injury - it was more a precaution and a way of easing myself back into action.
"Hopefully I can get another reserve game under my belt next Wednesday against Rochdale."
