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Fabrice Muamba showing 'signs of improvement' after cardiac arrest Fabrice Muamba is 'speaking again' after cardiac arrest
(about 1 hour later)
Fabrice Muamba is "showing small signs of improvement" according to a joint statement from Barts hospital and Bolton Wanderers. Fabrice Muamba is "showing small signs of improvement" according to a joint statement from Barts hospital and Bolton Wanderers. Associated Press is also reporting that a friend says the midfielder is speaking again.
The midfielder remains in intensive care after suffering a cardiac arrest during Bolton's FA Cup sixth-round tie at Tottenham on Saturday night, but the London chest hospital said that, while he is still in a critical condition, there are small reasons to be optimistic.The midfielder remains in intensive care after suffering a cardiac arrest during Bolton's FA Cup sixth-round tie at Tottenham on Saturday night, but the London chest hospital said that, while he is still in a critical condition, there are small reasons to be optimistic.
A Bolton statement read: "His heart is now beating without the help of medication and he is also moving his arms and his legs.A Bolton statement read: "His heart is now beating without the help of medication and he is also moving his arms and his legs.
"However, his long-term prognosis will remain unclear for some time. He is still critically ill and will continue to be closely monitored and treated by staff in the London chest hospital's intensive care unit.""However, his long-term prognosis will remain unclear for some time. He is still critically ill and will continue to be closely monitored and treated by staff in the London chest hospital's intensive care unit."
It is now almost 48 hours since the 23-year-old collapsed during the Tottenham tie at White Hart Lane. Medical staff took two hours to get Muamba's heart working again and said on Sunday that he would be anaesthetised for at least another 24 hours .It is now almost 48 hours since the 23-year-old collapsed during the Tottenham tie at White Hart Lane. Medical staff took two hours to get Muamba's heart working again and said on Sunday that he would be anaesthetised for at least another 24 hours .
"We are all after the same objective: to see that lovely young man, who has such a fantastic smile. That's what we want to see again," said his manager, Owen Coyle, who has remained at the hospital with Muamba. "When you look through what he's come through in his life already, he's a natural fighter. Also, he's a physically fit young man so I think those two things will be a source of help and encouragement.""We are all after the same objective: to see that lovely young man, who has such a fantastic smile. That's what we want to see again," said his manager, Owen Coyle, who has remained at the hospital with Muamba. "When you look through what he's come through in his life already, he's a natural fighter. Also, he's a physically fit young man so I think those two things will be a source of help and encouragement."
Muamba left his home in war-torn Congo in 1999 and was reunited with his father, who had fled five years earlier and sought asylum in Britain after becoming a target for rebels.Muamba left his home in war-torn Congo in 1999 and was reunited with his father, who had fled five years earlier and sought asylum in Britain after becoming a target for rebels.
The 23-year-old has overcome such a difficult start in life to become an England Under-21 international, joining Arsenal as a youth team player, before moving onto Birmingham and then Bolton for £5m in 2008.The 23-year-old has overcome such a difficult start in life to become an England Under-21 international, joining Arsenal as a youth team player, before moving onto Birmingham and then Bolton for £5m in 2008.
Though not one of the most flamboyant players, Muamba was amongst the most industrious, making the shock at what has happened more acute for Bolton's captain, Kevin Davies, who spoke on Monday for the first time since the weekend drama unfolded.Though not one of the most flamboyant players, Muamba was amongst the most industrious, making the shock at what has happened more acute for Bolton's captain, Kevin Davies, who spoke on Monday for the first time since the weekend drama unfolded.
"We all love Fabrice," said Davies. "I respect him hugely for coming from where he was to where he is now. He is one of the first into training and has worked extremely hard to better himself. He is always out there doing a bit extra. That is the reason why he has been so successful and has a massive career ahead of him.""We all love Fabrice," said Davies. "I respect him hugely for coming from where he was to where he is now. He is one of the first into training and has worked extremely hard to better himself. He is always out there doing a bit extra. That is the reason why he has been so successful and has a massive career ahead of him."
Bolton's players had a team meeting at their Euxton training complex on Monday morning to be updated. They already knew the scheduled encounter with Aston Villa on Tuesday had been postponed. However, they are supposed to be in action against Blackburn on Saturday – a match Rovers are happy to postpone – and there have been some suggestions that they are not comfortable facing the prospect of a re-arranged FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham. However, Davies said Bolton's next game was the last thing on his mind.Bolton's players had a team meeting at their Euxton training complex on Monday morning to be updated. They already knew the scheduled encounter with Aston Villa on Tuesday had been postponed. However, they are supposed to be in action against Blackburn on Saturday – a match Rovers are happy to postpone – and there have been some suggestions that they are not comfortable facing the prospect of a re-arranged FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham. However, Davies said Bolton's next game was the last thing on his mind.
"Any of those questions are irrelevant at the minute," he said. "Decisions will have to be made but my immediate thoughts are with Fabrice and his family. The club will take a stance on it in the next couple of days. But at the minute we want to just try and help Fabrice.""Any of those questions are irrelevant at the minute," he said. "Decisions will have to be made but my immediate thoughts are with Fabrice and his family. The club will take a stance on it in the next couple of days. But at the minute we want to just try and help Fabrice."
As he waits anxiously for positive news like everyone else, Davies is convinced only the prompt action of medical staff, both at the ground and in hospital, on Saturday saved Muamba's life.As he waits anxiously for positive news like everyone else, Davies is convinced only the prompt action of medical staff, both at the ground and in hospital, on Saturday saved Muamba's life.
"The amount of people who were turning up, running around trying to get Fabrice sorted out was amazing," he said. "There is no doubt in my mind if it wasn't down to all those people, we wouldn't even be in this situation. We are all thankful to them that they have given Fabrice a bit of hope.""The amount of people who were turning up, running around trying to get Fabrice sorted out was amazing," he said. "There is no doubt in my mind if it wasn't down to all those people, we wouldn't even be in this situation. We are all thankful to them that they have given Fabrice a bit of hope."
Davies has also been touched by the overwhelming support for Muamba from across the footballing world. Fans of both sides applauded the 23-year-old off the pitch and supporters at matches since have offered their own backing with a minute's applause. Numerous scarves and other tributes from competing clubs have been left at the Reebok Stadium.Davies has also been touched by the overwhelming support for Muamba from across the footballing world. Fans of both sides applauded the 23-year-old off the pitch and supporters at matches since have offered their own backing with a minute's applause. Numerous scarves and other tributes from competing clubs have been left at the Reebok Stadium.
"It is the first time in my nearly 19 years in the game that I have seen a stadium unite," he said. "It was touching but I was laying in bed thinking how sad it was as well. As professionals, we put a lot of hours in. We work hard and make a lot of sacrifices. But it seems that the only way you are going to get a ripple of applause away from your own ground is to get carried off on a stretcher."It is the first time in my nearly 19 years in the game that I have seen a stadium unite," he said. "It was touching but I was laying in bed thinking how sad it was as well. As professionals, we put a lot of hours in. We work hard and make a lot of sacrifices. But it seems that the only way you are going to get a ripple of applause away from your own ground is to get carried off on a stretcher.
"That is a sad state of affairs. Fans are quick to get off their seats if there is a mis-timed tackle. Maybe people have to ask why Fabrice Muamba runs 80 yards to put a last-ditch tackle in. It is not because he has anything against your team. It is because he is working hard for his own. If there is anything positive to come out of this, when you see supporters from all over, it would be nice if the fans could unite.""That is a sad state of affairs. Fans are quick to get off their seats if there is a mis-timed tackle. Maybe people have to ask why Fabrice Muamba runs 80 yards to put a last-ditch tackle in. It is not because he has anything against your team. It is because he is working hard for his own. If there is anything positive to come out of this, when you see supporters from all over, it would be nice if the fans could unite."
Managers of rival Premier League clubs have all offered their support for the player, with Arsène Wenger, Mark Hughes and Martin O'Neill all hoping Muamba makes a recovery.Managers of rival Premier League clubs have all offered their support for the player, with Arsène Wenger, Mark Hughes and Martin O'Neill all hoping Muamba makes a recovery.