Updated

Midfielder Stuart Holden will rejoin the U.S. national soccer team after an absence of 2½ years for its training camp ahead of three World Cup qualifiers next month and for the CONCACAF Gold Cup in July.

American coach Jurgen Klinsmann made the announcement Thursday on the U.S. Soccer Federation's website.

A member of the 2010 U.S. World Cup team, Holden injured his right knee on a challenge by Manchester United's Jonny Evans during Bolton's Premier League game March 19, 2011. Holden returned from surgery to play in a League Cup match against Aston Villa that Sept. 20, then had surgery on the knee eight days later.

The 27-year-old midfielder didn't play again until Jan. 15 this year. He recently completed a one-month loan to Sheffield Wednesday.

Holden has two goals in 17 international appearances and hasn't played for the U.S. since Oct. 12, 2010, against Colombia.