Bolton Wanderers

Owen Coyle: Next 24 hours "absolutely crucial" for Fabrice Muamba

By Robert Summerscales, Reporter | 18 March 2012

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle explains that the next 24 hours are going to be "absolutely crucial" as Fabrice Muamba fights for his life in intensive care.

Bolton Wanderers manager Owen Coyle has said that the next 24 hours are going to be "absolutely crucial" as Fabrice Muamba fights for his life in intensive care.

The 23-year-old collapsed during the Trotters' abandoned FA Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane.

Medics at the stadium had attempted to resuscitate the former Arsenal midfielder before he was taken to the Heart Attack Centre of London Chest Hospital, where he is said to be in a critical condition

Coyle, who had accompanied Muamba to the hospital, emerged to give an update on the player's progress.

He told Sky News: "Fabrice is critically ill. The next 24 hours are going to be absolutely crucial.

"We've obviously been inundated with people wishing him well and we hope that if everybody can pray strongly tonight that Fabrice is able to recover.

"It's very serious. There's no getting away from that. He's critically ill and God willing he makes it through."

Various players have used Twitter to pass on their well wishes to Muamba.