Dougie Freedman speaks regarding American's injury situation
Dougie Freedman has given his full backing to Stuart Holden following the American’s withdrawal from Monday’s under-21 game against Everton.
The midfielder was substituted after 23 minutes against the Toffees after appearing in discomfort, with the manager revealing his frustration at the situation during his pre-match press conference on Thursday afternoon.
“It’s disappointing news for us all,” he said. “We don’t know the exact results at the moment, but we feel that it’s the same injury. He’s since had his scans and he’s going to fly back to America to see his specialist on Monday.
“Hopefully he can read his scans and tell us good news, but if not he will need to go into the knee and have a look at it.
“I did go and meet Stuart the following night to have a long chat with him – he’s very positive and no matter what the outcome of this is, he will carry on and keep on going.
“I want to be very clear to everybody that Stuart Holden will be here in some capacity at this football club – he is such a fantastic lad and is a great ambassador for this football club.”
He continued: “He is a giver, and I believe that this football club needs people like that. Some people are just take, take, take, but Stuart has never once talked about his situation – he only ever talks about how we can win games and that is music to my ears.
“Stuart will hopefully be fine and will be back playing, but if he’s not then he’ll be back here during the summer trying to get fit to get back in some capacity.
“He just says to me that this is a challenge, and unfortunately for him he’s had these challenges all at once right in the middle of his career when he should arguably be in his best form.
“He isn’t the sort of guy who looks at it that way though – all he asks for is the support to get through the challenges and that’s what we’re going to give him.
“I can’t speak highly enough of the attitude he shows in training – he’s never talking about himself, he is always concerned about how the fans see the game and his outlook will get him through life.”