Coyle has ´brief conversation´ with Muamba

Bolton boss Owen Coyle said he shared a ‘brief conversation’ in hospital with Fabrice Muamba.

Muamba remains in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest during his side’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Tottenham at White Hart Lane.

The 23-year-old has shown signs of improvement in the last 24 hours, as he was reportedly able to move his arms and legs and respond to basic questions in English and French.

His manager has now revealed that he was able to speak with his player for a short while, but stressed there is still a long way to go in the former Arsenal youngster’s recovery.

“It’s very early in the process, the doctors have stressed that so we all know what’s involved,” Coyle told reporters outside the hospital.

“Fabrice still has a long way to go but it’s encouraging signs and whilst that is the case it’s really positive and we move forward from that point.”

“I was fortunate to see him and had a brief conversation which will obviously remain between us. We have to understand it’s early in his continued fight for improvement.”

“Where we all were on Saturday night, at this stage I would certainly never have envisaged this improvement.”

Bolton’s Premier league clash with Aston Villa on Tuesday night was postponed in the wake of the incident, and a decision will be made on Wednesday over their meeting with Blackburn on Saturday.