Muamba making big strides

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has revealed that Fabrice Muamba is walking again as he continues his recovery from a cardiac arrest.

Muamba collapsed during an FA Cup game against Tottenham on the March 17, with his heart stopping for 78 minutes, but the 23-year-old has made positive progress.

The midfielder, who turns 24 on Friday, has astounded his manager with his rapid improvements, but Coyle has warned that there is still a long road ahead before a full recovery is made.

“He’s taking steps, talking and has that big smile we love to see. He is progressing the right way,” Coyle told reporters.

“He has done some short periods of walking down the corridor he is in as part of the unit, staying in intensive care,”

The midfielder’s family posted a picture of Muamba on Twitter last week showing him sitting up in his hospital bed smiling as a show of thanks towards the mass of people sending their support.

Muamba’s illness has seen the footballing world all pull together in wishing the former England under-21 man well, with teams and players alike stating their public support all over the globe.

“A couple of players have been sending him messages and we are keeping in touch. It has been great to see that smile and he continues to get better,” Coyle added.

“We have to stress that he still has a long way to go, but the improvement has been remarkable and long may that continue.”