Bolton's Fabrice Muamba shows signs of recovery following collapse | Football | The Guardian
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Bolton's Fabrice Muamba shows signs of recovery following collapse
• Midfielder responding to questions and recognises family
• Heart beating unaided for first time since cardiac arrest
• Heart beating unaided for first time since cardiac arrest
Fabrice Muamba is showing "small signs of improvement" for the first time since he suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for Bolton Wanderers against Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Saturday.
While the 23-year-old remains critically ill, it has emerged that the proximity of the stadium to Bethnal Green's London Chest Hospital, where he is being cared for, and the presence of the cardiologist Dr Andrew Deaner, who was at the FA Cup tie and ran on to assist the medics, saved Muamba's life.
Last night his club issued a statement that revealed he was able to "breathe without the aid of a ventilator" and was also able to "respond to questions appropriately".
It added: "Fabrice Muamba remains in intensive care at The London Chest Hospital. He is continuing to show signs of improvement this evening. He has also been able to recognise family members and respond to questions appropriately.
"These are all positive signs of progress. However, his condition remains serious and the medical staff in intensive care will continue to monitor and treat him. His family and club would like to thank the media for continuing to respect their privacy at this time."
The Associated Press reported that a friend of Muamba had told the agency that Muamba had started speaking again. Curtis Codrington, who has been visiting the player in intensive care, told the AP that his friend has spoken "minimal words in English and French, which is better than nothing".
Owen Coyle, the Bolton manager who accompanied Muamba in the ambulance from White Hart Lane along with the captain Kevin Davies, again visited him on Monday. Coyle said: "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. 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."
Coyle also stated that Muamba's family, who are at his bedside, are being as strong as possible in the circumstances. "When situations like this occur, there is a real strength, a real unity and a real togetherness. As a family they are showing that and again that has been boosted by everybody else's support," the Scot said, before thanking the hospital, and describing the medical staff as "incredible."
Dr Deaner ran on to the pitch to aid Muamba after explaining to Spurs staff he was a cardiologist. He informed the medics that the midfielder must be taken straight to the London Chest Hospital, also accompanying him in the ambulance.
It is unclear if Bolton will continue in the FA Cup. This would mean a return to White Hart Lane to replay the quarter-final with Spurs while their match with Aston Villa on Tuesday night has already been postponed out of respect. The game against Blackburn at the weekend may also be in doubt with Rovers' manager, Steve Kean, saying the rival clubs would discuss the position.
"I think the whole footballing world has come together, whatever we have to do we would only respect what Bolton want us to do next weekend," the manager said. "We hope he makes a full recovery but if they need a little bit more time and the game doesn't go ahead then we would respect that from Bolton's point of view. Everyone is taking advice from the hospital and experts in that we are hoping for progress in 24/48 hours and I know we are getting close to that point.
"We will respect everything that has to be done to facilitate a full recovery not only for Fabrice but his team-mates who could quite possibly be in a difficult position. We will get in communication [with Bolton]. I am sure our directors will speak with theirs and I will speak to Owen [Coyle] myself later. We will communicate today and do the right thing." >>>>
