Stuart Holden in action for Bolton this weekend?

While everyone leans in close to Bob Bradley, squinting their eyes to see his hand ahead of the manager’s upcoming roster selections, here’s a little bit of news that he and everyone else will enjoy: Stuart Holden could very well get some minutes this weekend for Bolton.

So says manager Owen Coyle, who revealed on Bolton’s official web site that Holden trained three times this week and looked quite spry in doing so.

“He has acquitted himself very well but we have to put into context that he has been out for a long time,” Coyle said. “We’ll give balance to everything, but if he isn’t involved this week then I would certainly hope I can get him involved for the Birmingham game.”

Holden has missed seven matches since the Netherlands’ Nigel de Jong reminded us that friendlies aren’t always so friendly. De Jong’s nasty tackle broke a bone in the former Houston Dynamo man’s leg.

Circumstances are favorable for Holden; Bolton is safe from relegation, but far from the top of the table. So there’s not much to play for in the last two matches. Thus, player evaluation for the future would appear to be paramount, and that means Holden is likely to play as much as team officials believe that it’s safe for him.

Here's the bottom line: I really think Holden did enough in 2009 to earn a place on Bradley's final 23. Now, he just has to show that he's healthy enough to contribute. An EPL start (more likely for next week rather than this week) would probably be enough to get Holden an invitation into camp -- if he hasn't earned one already.