The former Norwich striker has missed around six weeks of action after injuring his knee in the game with Middlesbrough back in August.
With Shaun Maloney and Marc Antoine Fortune also suffering injuries, Manchester United loanee Nick Powell has been forced to run the forward line.
However the return of Holt is a big boost for the club.
“Grant only had two training sessions in the lead-up, but such was his desire to be involved he made the bench,” Coyle told the Wigan Evening Post.
“We felt if we could get 20-30 minutes out of the bench we’d be doing well – as it turned out it was even more than that.
“We all know he’s a goal threat, and having a player like him on the bench strikes fear into the opposition ranks.”
With the international break this weekend Holt will be given a two week break to get his fitness up.