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Holden expecting the worst on injury

Stuart Holden was injured in a tackle with Jonny Evans © PA Photos

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Bolton Wanderers midfielder Stuart Holden is anticipating bad news when the final prognosis is delivered on the injury he sustained in a challenge on Saturday.

Holden was rushed to hospital following a 1-0 defeat to Manchester United as a tackle from Jonny Evans, which drew a red card, left him with a nasty gash on his right knee.

He was given 26 stitches to close the wound and X-rays confirmed Holden had avoided a break, but he also underwent an MRI scan to discover if he has suffered any ligament or muscular damage to his knee.

With the FA Cup semi-final against Stoke on April 17 fast approaching, Holden has warned supporters to expect the worst when details of his injury are released later on Monday.

Holden wrote on his Twitter account on Sunday night: "Not good news tweeps, speak tomorrow :(."

Defender Gary Cahill also fears for his team-mate but has absolved United defender Evans of any blame for the tackle which resulted in his dismissal at Old Trafford.

"It would be a massive blow but it looked like a really bad gash, and I hope that's all it is, for the team's sake," Cahill told the Bolton News. "Maybe the international break might have come at the right time for him, in a recovery sense. Touch wood he isn't out.

"From where I was stood, he had his studs up, but no-one goes into a challenge looking to hurt someone, or at least you'd hope not.

"Nobody goes into a tackle thinking 'I'm going to do him here' and I think Evans just went for the ball and had his studs up a little bit. It was unfortunate in all circumstances, and Stu has come off worse."

© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.