Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has confirmed that midfielder Stuart Holden will make his first appearance in six months against Aston Villa tomorrow.

The USA international has been out of action since damaging knee ligaments against Manchester United in March.

However, after making three appearances for Bolton's second string, Holden is ready to take his place in the starting lineup for Tuesday's Carling Cup tie.

"Stuart has obviously been out for a long time and this game gives him the opportunity to play against Premier League opponents," Coyle told the club's official website.

"We all concede that we look a better team when he plays and agree that he was one of the top midfielders in the Barclays Premier League last season, but I don't want to place any extra burden on him.

"He has played two parts of a reserve game, against Fulham and Rochdale, and then he got through the full 90 minutes against Arsenal last week. There is no doubt he is getting stronger day by day and tomorrow we will get a really good idea of where his fitness levels are at."

The 26-year-old joined Wanderers in 2010 from Houston Dynamo.