Coyle to consider if game stays on

20 March 2012 17:46

Bolton will decide on Wednesday whether they will play Blackburn in the Premier League on Saturday.

Life has been on hold at the Reebok Stadium since Saturday, when Fabrice Muamba collapsed after suffering a cardiac arrest at Tottenham. Medical staff at the ground and at the London Chest Hospital took two hours to get Muamba's heart working again. The 23-year-old has made huge improvements since, and has been able to speak some words.

Manager Owen Coyle and members of Bolton's squad visited their team-mate on Tuesday, but with training planned for Wednesday, Press Association Sport understands Coyle will return north with his players and by the time he has assessed their mood, the Scot will be in a position to decide whether to confirm the fixture.

Although the belief is that Bolton are going to play, Coyle admitted earlier on Tuesday that focusing on the match has been impossible.

"That's not something of great importance to me at this moment in time," he said. "In the course of today, as we hope and pray that Fabrice continues to improve, that's something we will have to look at. My thoughts are that we will have the group back in training and we will look at it from then. The one concern we all have is for Fabrice only."

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore revealed his organisation was in contact with Bolton regarding the Blackburn fixture, adding: "We'll take it literally on a daily basis. Clearly by Sunday lunchtime, we knew the players weren't going to be fit to want to play tonight (against Aston Villa).

"We'll check the situation again today, check the situation again tomorrow, and we'll just see how things develop."

The London Chest Hospital released a statement on Tuesday morning which read: "Fabrice Muamba has had a comfortable night in the intensive care unit at The London Chest Hospital, where the medical team is continuing to monitor his progress."

Coyle told reporters outside the hospital: "It's very early in the process and the doctors have stressed that, so we all know what's involved. Fabrice still has a long way to go but it's encouraging signs and whilst that is the case it's really positive and we move forward from that point.

"I was fortunate to see him and had a brief conversation which will obviously remain between us."

Source: PA