FABulous! Muamba could make full recovery, reveals Coyle, as Bolton get ready to return to Spurs for Cup rematch

Such has been the improvement in  the 23-year-old midfielder’s condition that Bolton plan to return to action against Blackburn in the Barclays Premier League on Saturday and replay their FA Cup quarter-final at Tottenham next Tuesday.

Club sources admit they are ‘staggered’ by Muamba’s progress, while team-mates who visited him at the London Chest Hospital left feeling like they had witnessed a ‘miracle’. 

Support: Bolton team-mates Nigel Reo-Coker, Darren Pratley and Mark Davies visit on Tuesday

Leader: Bolton captain Kevin Davies arrives with his wife and child

Manager Owen Coyle, who has kept a bedside vigil since Muamba collapsed on Saturday evening, spoke to the player on Tuesday. The Scot returned home that night and is expected to take training on Wednesday providing Muamba’s health does not deteriorate.

Although Coyle urged caution over Muamba, who is still in a serious condition in intensive care, he was sufficiently encouraged by the player’s recovery to suggest he could get back to the level at which he performed before  the incident.

Asked if the doctors believe he could make a full recovery, Coyle said: ‘They say that is something that has happened before. Every case is individual and on its own merits. 

‘The two things that Fabrice have that can help him in this battle are that he is such a fit young man and the life he’s had. He’s had to fight every step of the way in his young journey, so those two things I am sure will stand him in good stead. Football pales into insignificance at this moment, as we know, but he’s an outstanding young individual and we pray that he gets back to that level again.’ 

Back again: Bolton boss Owen Coyle paid another visit to his player Fabrice Muamba this morning

Couple: Fabrice Muamba with fiancee Shauna

Players who visited Muamba on Tuesday — including team-mates Kevin Davies, Darren Pratley, Nigel Reo-Coker and Mark Davies, and Tottenham striker Emmanuel Adebayor — were said to be amazed at the progress that he has made.

One source told Sportsmail: ‘The players feel the progress Fabrice has made is nothing short of a miracle. After what happened on Saturday, seeing Muamba speak and move was not what they were expecting at all. The players were low after Saturday but those who have visited him feel a lot more upbeat.’ 

Coyle added: ‘It’s early days, but I’ve spoken to Shauna his partner and his dad Marcel about it  and where we all were on Saturday night, I certainly would never have envisaged the improvement that  has come.

‘I was fortunate to see Fabrice and  had a brief conversation. Fabrice has still got a long way to go but it is encouraging signs.’

Muamba’s improvement did not stop Roberto Mancini hitting out on Thursday at what he believes are inadequate medical standards  in English football.

The Italian, whose Manchester City side face Chelsea in the Premier League on Wednesday, said: ‘Here in England is the best championship in the world — it’s fantastic — but we need to improve the medical side for the players.

‘We need to screen the players more often, maybe twice a year and more accurately. When I saw our medical system, I was really worried when I arrived two years ago. I said that we had to do it better.

‘It is better in Italy. The medicals for all players are fantastic. The medicals are really strong in Italy during pre-season, for every player, and they happen every six months.

Support: Football remained united behind Muamba as matches took place across the country

‘When I came here and saw all the players in pre-season for their medical, I said to the doctor, “This is not enough for the players”. 

‘I felt it was a really light medical. It is not enough. For me, it is not good. It’s impossible that one young guy dies on the pitch because we didn’t do a medical accurately. 

‘I want that our players and all the players in the Premier League can have a more accurate medical. Always, not just once a year.’

Under current regulations, players in England are given cardio checks as they work through the youth system. However, this tends to stop when they reach maturity.

Mancini added: ‘In 2012, it can’t be that something happens to a player like on Saturday. It is impossible. This guy is 23. I hope that it will go very well for him and I pray for him because this situation is impossible.’

Shock: Owen Coyle and players from both sides show their concern for Fabrice Muamba

Comfort: Gareth Bale gives Jermain Defoe - a close friend of Muamba's - a show of support

Stunned spectators: White Hart Lane emptied in silence