By Andrew Warsaw
April 5 – Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba (pictured) has taken his first steps unaided as he continues his remarkable recovery from his on-field cardiac arrest on March 17.
The former England under-21 international turns 24 tomorrow and news that he is now walking will be the best birthday present for himself and his family.
It took 78 minutes for Muamba’s heart to start working on its own following his collapse at Tottenham Hotspur’s White Hart Lane home ground, but Bolton manager Owen Coyle confirmed his recovery was progressing at the London Chest Hospital.
“He has done some short periods of walking down the corridor he is in as part of the unit, staying in intensive care,” Coyle said.
“He is taking steps, talking and has that big smile which we love to see, so he is certainly progressing the right way.
“My chairman Phil Gartside was there yesterday with our club doctor Jonathan Tobin and our club chaplain Phil Mason will be there today to continue the support from the football club.
“We have to stress that he still has a long way to go, but the improvement has been remarkable and long may that continue.”
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