Muamba still in a critical condition

Fabrice Muamba remained critically ill this morning as he continued to fight for his life after suffering a cardiac arrest during Bolton Wanderers's FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday night. Medical staff took two hours to get Muamba breathing again and he is now being closely monitored in the Heart Attack Centre at the London Chest Hospital. A joint statement from Bolton, Barts and The NHS Trust this morning read: "Fabrice Muamba's heart condition is stable, but he remains critically ill in intensive care at the London Chest Hospital. The family is grateful to the media for continuing to respect their privacy at this time." Bolton manager Owen Coyle and chairman Phil Gartside visited the hospital this morning. Coyle yesterday led expressions of hope that Muamba, a father of one, wins his fight for life. Coyle, who accompanied Muamba to hospital, also offered his personal thanks for the messages of support that continue to be received, both at the hospital and the Reebok Stadium. "From our end, and on behalf of the family, we want to say a big thanks to everyone," said Coyle. "We have been inundated by good messages, everyone praying for Fabrice, which is very important. It has been a real source of strength for the family. We know how difficult a time it is for everyone. I can't really quantify it [the support]. It has been incredible, not just from the football world, from everyone. "It is great to be talented at football but it's more important to be a genuinely nice man and everyone recognises Fabrice is that. That has pulled everyone together. We certainly hope he comes through this. If he pulls through it would be marvellous, it really would." Gartside added his own tribute: "I know Fabrice's family have been overwhelmed by the huge outpouring of kindness, from people visiting the hospital to leave cards to those sending messages and e-mails. "The staff at the London Chest Hospital have been nothing short of exceptional and I would like to thank them all at this ongoing critical time. I ask for everybody to keep Fabrice in their prayers and thoughts." Fixture postponed The Premier League agreed to Bolton's request for tomorrow's planned encounter with Aston Villa at Villa Park to be postponed. No new date has been confirmed and it is still not clear when last Saturday night's game will be played. Bolton's next game is due to be in the Premier League, against local rivals and relegation scrappers Blackburn Rovers, at home on Saturday, although no decision will be made until much later in the week about whether that match can proceed. After scoring in Chelsea's FA Cup win over Leicester City at Stamford Bridge yesterday, Muamba's former Bolton team-mate Gary Cahill revealed a T-shirt with the message 'Pray 4 Muamba' printed on it. Supporters at Wolverhampton Wanderers' home game with Manchester United combined in a minute's applause before kick-off. Referee Howard Webb, whose prompt actions on Saturday, in addition to those of medical staff have received such praise, withdrew from fourth official duties at Wolves on the advice of a psychologist who works with the Professional Game Match Officials Limited (PMGMOL). Muamba began his career at Arsenal, joining them as a schoolboy ten years ago. Manager Arsene Wenger told the club's website: "This is, of course, a massive shock to us all and we just hope that Fabrice will pull through safely. "You pray that the damage will be repaired and that Fabrice will come out healthy and we will see his smile again. That is all you wish for. As a man, Fabrice has a positive attitude towards life, he is full of determination and has a great desire. Everyone at Arsenal has huge respect for Fabrice. "Even after he left us, he often passed by to say hello and speak about how it was going for him. We feel very deeply attached to him. He is what you would call a committed player. His hunger and determination was so big. "When he was younger, he had massive players in front of him at Arsenal, but I felt he had reached the level to play in the Premier League, so we let him go and he has proved his quality. "A football player always remains attached to where he was educated. Fabrice had his friends from childhood here and they remain your friends forever. We are all thinking of Fabrice, his family and everyone close to him."