Hope for Fabrice! Seriously ill Muamba speaks with family and friends as his condition improves
Stricken Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has spoken to family and friends, raising hopes the 23-year-old may recover from the cardiac arrest he suffered at Tottenham on Saturday.
Muamba remains gravely ill in the London Chest Hospital, where he had been kept in a coma since collapsing at White Hart Lane.
But on Monday night a statement released by Bolton and the hospital confirmed Muamba was breathing on his own and had communicated with his family.
Progress: Michael Essien confirmed that Fabrice Muamba had spoken to family and friends as he recovers from a cardiac arrest suffered on Saturday at White Hart Lane
Support: A simple message for Muamba attached to flowers at the Reebok today
'He is now able to breathe independently, without the aid of a ventilator and he is able to recognise family members and respond to questions appropriately,' said the statement. 'These are positive signs of progress.
'However, his condition remains serious and our 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.'
Chelsea midfielder Michael Essien revealed Muamba had spoken to him in both English and French.
Earlier, Bolton said Muamba had moved his arms and legs but warned ‘his long-term prognosis will remain unclear for some time.’ Given that Muamba’s heart stopped for two hours after his collapse, there remains fear he may have suffered brain damage.
Visit: Shaun Wright-Phillips and Ashley Cole went to see Fabrice Muamba on Monday afternoon
Old pal: Johan Djourou arrives at the London Chest Hospital to visit his former Arsenal team-mate
The news came shortly after a friend of the player, Curtis Codrington, revealed Muamba had spoken ‘minimal words in English and French, which is better than nothing’.
He later Tweeted: 'I'm so happy I have seen hugged and kiss Muamba he remember me and spoke of our jokes of fellow Congo player chris samba this is so great' [sic].
Muamba's fiancee Shauna then wrote on Twitter: 'All your prayers are working people thank u so so much. Every prayer makes him stronger. To God be the glory.'
Bolton manager Owen Coyle — who has remained in London — said the former England Under 21 midfielder is going through a ‘brave fight’, adding that the club had been inundated with messages of support from players and fans, including one from David Beckham.
On Monday fellow professionals Shaun Wright-Phillips, Ashley Cole and Johan Djourou visited Muamba in hospital.
Update: Bolton boss Owen Coyle spoke off Fabrice Muamba continuing his 'brave fight' to save his life at the London Chest Hospital
‘There is real hope he can come through this,’ said Coyle.
He added: 'The message is the good will, the prayers from everybody, they are so thankful and they want to put that on record - to say "keep up the prayers, thanks for all the support".
'They have been inundated as we all have, both in the football community globally and family and friends. People are taking a genuine interest and a real concern with how Fabrice is doing.'
Fans' favourite: A small picture of Muamba is attached to flowers by tribute shirts
Well wishes: Muamba's collapse has seen messages flood into Bolton's home
Infectious smile: Muamba with fiance Shauna
'We all know he's such a wonderful lad, he's a young man and we all hope that will help in this brave fight which he is undergoing at the moment.
'It's a difficult situation but the family are bearing up as well as they can. They themselves are very positive people.
'You look at what Fabrice has been through in life already and you can tell that he is a fighter. He has such a fantastic smile and that's what we all want to see again.'
Bolton skipper Kevin Davies also described Muamba as a 'fighter'.
He said: 'Fabrice is fighting and we are all hoping he will pull through. I spoke to the manager and the doctor this morning and his condition remains criticial. I have been speaking to the manager and I have travelled back with the chairman. He went back down to support Fabrice and his family.
'It was optional to come into training today and decisions will have to be made but my immediate thoughts are with Fabrice and his family. The club will take a stance on (the next game) in the next couple of days. But at the minute we want to just try and help Fabrice.'
Vigil: Jermain Defoe and his mother Sandra visited Muamba at the hospital in east London
Premier League officials have advised the club to take each day as it comes before deciding whether to fulfil their home fixture with Blackburn this Saturday.
But at some point the Premier League, who are planning to review their medical testing policies, will join forces with the FA in discussing what can be learned from the incident. One possibility is the introduction of mandatory annual heart examinations for all players.
Muamba’s emergency medical care on Saturday owed much measures implemented in the wake of Petr Cech’s head injury at Reading in October 2006.
And it was as the result of a tragedy in 1995 that heart examinations were made mandatory for all scholars, aged between 16 and 17, signing for professional Premier League academies.
Shock: Owen Coyle and players from both sides show their concern for Fabrice Muamba
John Marshall, a 16-year-old England schoolboy international, died from a heart attack the day before he was due to join Everton. It transpired he suffered from arrhythmogenic right ventricular cardiomyopathy and only last year his sister Hayley called for testing to be introduced for young people.
‘Twelve people a week die of these cardiomyopathies,’ she said in support of the charity, Cardiac Risk in the Young.
On Monday FIFA president Sepp Blatter wrote to Bolton chairman Phil Gartside to offer support, while the Sunderland squad stopped at the Reebok Stadium en route to Blackburn for Tuesday's Barclays Premier League match to look at tributes to Muamba.
Critical condition: The London Chest Hospital, who released a joint statement with Bolton Wanderers FC (below), in east London where Muamba remains under care
Bolton’s game against Aston Villa has been postponed, while no decision has been made about Saturday’s match or about the club continuing in the FA Cup.
But Spurs boss Harry Redknapp confirmed his side’s league clash at home to Stoke on Wednesday would go ahead as planned.
He said: ‘They need to play. I think they are OK. The best thing for them is to get back on the pitch and play.’
Some of his players had ECG tests when a cardiologist made a routine visit to the training ground.
Referee Howard Webb, praised for his handling of the situation at White Hart Lane, is set to return on Wednesday as QPR host Liverpool.
Comfort: Gareth Bale gives Jermain Defoe - a close friend of Muamba's - a show of support
Stunned spectators: White Hart Lane emptied in silence
