Dougie Freedman will continue to carefully manage Stuart Holden's workload following the Bolton midfielder's return from injury.

USA international Holden made his first appearance of the season as a second-half substitute in last week's 2-0 defeat of Sunderland in the FA Cup following almost two years of severe knee problems.

The 27-year-old was absent from the matchday 18 as Wanderers drew 0-0 with Crystal Palace last weekend and it might not be the last time that Freedman has to rein in his player's natural enthusiasm.

"It's a wonderful occasion for the fans to see him coming back," said the Scot. "Hopefully he'll keep on recovering on the right lines and hopefully he'll be in the team on a regular basis very soon.

"It's a long way, you don't just play 20 minutes and that's you - done it.

"It's going to be another, I don't know, two or three months before we really see Stuart back to his best, but it was a big psychological step for him in terms of getting out there and competing against a Premier League side - he's been put up against a right good test there.

"Physically he's fine, he's been training for a month and he's fine, but psychologically he was great the next day.

"He's really been a bit of a pain in the backside in fact because he's desperate to get involved, desperate to play.

"But I've got a decision to make, and it's in the best interests of Stuart, on when to drop him in and when not to."