Bolton Wanderers have confirmed that Stuart Holden is likely to be out for between six and nine months following a knee operation.
The American, who has already missed seven months of football with a cruciate ligament injury, lasted just 23 minutes in an Under-21 match last week.
Following tests, Holden had an operation on the ligaments in his right knee, and is now set for another spell on the sidelines.
.@stuholden will be out of action for between six and nine months following an operation on the ligaments in his right knee. #BWFC
— Bolton Wanderers FC (@OfficialBWFC) March 11, 2014
The 28-year-old joined the Trotters in 2010.