Bolton Manager Has 'Brief' Chat With Muamba

Bolton manager Owen Coyle has said he had a "brief" conversation with Fabrice Muamba as the footballer shows continued signs of recovery from a cardiac arrest.

The 23-year-old has been fighting for his life at the London Chest Hospital after collapsing during his team's FA Cup tie against Tottenham on Saturday.

"We had a conversation and a few words were exchanged, but that will remain private as you understand," said Coyle.

"It is a great sign but I must stress that this is still very early in the process. The doctors have stressed that point so that we all know what is involved.

"Fabrice has still got a long way to go but it is encouraging signs and whilst that is the case it is very positive and we move forward from that point."

Coyle again praised the efforts of Tottenham and Bolton staff after the former England Under-21 international suffered the cardiac arrest just before halftime at White Hart Lane.

He explained: "I have to go on record as thanking everybody and I have to mention the supporters actually at the match from both Bolton and Tottenham.

"How Tottenham acted as a club was extraordinary to see - everybody working in those circumstances for the common aim of making Fabrice better.

"It is also truly remarkable the work being done by the hospital and the family have asked me to pass that on once again."

Medics performed CPR on Muamba on the pitch before rushing him to hospital. It was later revealed his heart stopped for two hours and that he had stopped breathing.

On Monday, it was announced Muamba was breathing independently and responding to family .

He was also able to utter his first words, apparently speaking in both English and French.

In a joint statement earlier, Bolton and the hospital trust said the midfielder had a "comfortable" night - and asked for no more visitors except family and friends.

"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," the statement said.

"Fabrice's family has asked us to thank everyone again for their thoughts and prayers and for the continued messages of support from which they draw great strength.

"To ensure the smooth running of the hospital for all patients, as well as Fabrice's need to concentrate on his recovery, they would request that he receives no more visitors for the moment, outside of immediate family and members of Bolton Wanderers Football Club."

Muamba's case has prompted Manchester City manager Roberto Mancini to call for twice-yearly medical screenings for Premier League players, saying he was worried not enough is done to protect them.

"We need to screen the players often, maybe two times a year, and they have to be more accurate because they don't do this," he said.

Mancini said he was stunned at the low standard of medicals in the League compared with his native Italy, adding: "It is impossible that a young guy could die on the pitch because they didn't do a medical accurately.

"What happened to Muamba and other players in the past can't happen again."

Mancini was speaking after Premier League chief executive Richard Scudamore announced a review of medical procedures , even though they were overhauled after Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech suffered a fractured skull during a league match five years ago.