Next 24 hours crucial for Fabrice Muamba

The 23-year-old collapsed in the 41st minute of Bolton's FA Cup quarter-final against Tottenham last night, with the match abandoned after the player received treatment on the pitch from paramedics.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle accompanied Muamba to the hospital and later emerged to give an update on the player's progress.

He told Sky News: "Fabrice is critically ill. The next 24 hours are going to be absolutely crucial."

He continued: "We've obviously been inundated with people wishing him well and we hope that if everybody can pray strongly tonight that Fabrice is able to recover.

"It's very serious. There's not getting away from that. He's critically ill and God willing he makes it through."

The club last night released a statement which read: "Bolton Wanderers can confirm that Fabrice Muamba has been admitted to the heart attack centre at London Chest hospital where he is currently in a critically ill condition in intensive care.

"No further information will be issued at this stage. The club has requested the media to respect his family's privacy at this time."

The England Under-21 star underwent six minutes of treatment amid worrying scenes at the north London ground.

He was wearing an oxygen mask and was then rushed to the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green in east London.

Within a second of seeing Muamba fall to the ground, Bolton manager Owen Coyle shouted "he's just collapsed" before running on to the pitch to be alongside his player amid a sombre atmosphere at Tottenham's ground.

Both sets of fans chanted the player's name as he was being treated and Tottenham forward Rafael van der Vaart and Muamba's team-mate Tuncay Sanli both prayed for the former Arsenal player on the pitch. Some fans cried at the sight of seeing a player out cold on the pitch.

Muamba was carried off on a stretcher and referee Howard Webb abandoned the match moments later.

It is understood captain Kevin Davies accompanied Muamba to the hospital along with Coyle.

Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore sent his organisation's best wishes to Muamba and his family, as well as paying tribute to the medical staff at the ground.

He said: "The thoughts of the Premier League, its clubs and players are with Fabrice Muamba, his family and Bolton Wanderers.

"We would like to praise the players, match officials, coaching staff and medical teams of both clubs at White Hart Lane for their swift actions in attending Fabrice.

"The League would also like to commend the compassion shown by the fans of Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.

"We hope to hear positive news about Fabrice, who is and has been a wonderful ambassador for the English game and the League at Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers."

Muamba was born in Zaire, now known as the Democratic Republic of Congo, but has represented England from under-16 to under-21 level.

Football Association chairman David Bernstein said: "On behalf of The FA, I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Fabrice Muamba and his family this evening.

"Fabrice has played 33 times for England Under-21s, captaining Stuart Pearce's side during this time and is a player, and more importantly, a person we care greatly for."

Muamba broke into the Premier League with Birmingham, with the club this morning offering their support for the midfielder.

"The thoughts of everyone at the club are with Fabrice and his family," a club spokesman said.

"He was a very popular member of the club during his time here and everyone at St Andrew's is shocked and saddened to see what happened yesterday."

Former Birmingham chairman David Gold said on Twitter: "Fabrice Muamba is one of the nicest and most respectful young men I ever met in football. I'm thinking of you Fab, get well soon."