Muamba is smiles better... here's the picture of Bolton star we feared we'd never see



Fabrice Muamba's incredible recovery has been encapsulated in the first picture of the Bolton star since he collapsed against Tottenham almost two weeks ago.

The 23-year-old suffered cardiac arrest on the White Hart Lane pitch during his side's FA Cup quarter-final clash.

He was treated on the field and in the ambulance as medics battled to save his life and he remains in London Chest Hospital.



On the mend: Fabrice Muamba has been recovering in hospital since collapsing at White Hart Lane

Doctors revealed he was effectively dead for 78 minutes after his heart stopped beating while 15 defibrillator shocks were required to resuscitate him.

Muamba's fiancee Shauna Magunda posted the photo on Twitter, adding: 'Fab wanted me to post this pic for you all and to also say thank you for such overwhelming support.'

Bolton manager Owen Coyle praised the resilience of his squad on Thursday after an emotional fortnight.



Message: Bolton showed their support for Fabrice Muamba at White Hart Lane

Coyle, who has been a regular visitor to Muamba's bedside at the London Chest Hospital during his recuperation from a cardiac arrest, revealed that the midfielder is showing 'continued improvement'.

'He continues to get better, but remaining in intensive care,' Coyle said. 'When we went the other day and managed to see him, we could see the continued improvement and that all bodes well.



'The well-wishes have been really supportive and helped him no end, and I think he has taken great strength from that. That will help in his continued fight to recover.'



Encouraging signs: Muamba is recovering after suffering a cardac arrest at Spurs

The Trotters lost the rescheduled FA Cup game 3-1 at White Hart Lane on Tuesday night, in what was an emotional return to the ground following Muamba's collapse.

The England Under 21 international has shown continued signs of improvement in the last week after he started recognising his visitors. He was able to breathe without the aid of a ventilator and spoke in both French and English.

Coyle revealed that he had been able to watch the highlights of Bolton's 2-1 win over Blackburn on Match of the Day last weekend, joking: 'I don’t know if he still thinks we won 2-0,’ after Muamba admitted he had fallen asleep during the programme.



