Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba is "in a critically ill condition" after suffering a collapse in an FA Cup quarterfinal tie against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday.

Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba remained in critical condition after suffering a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup quarterfinal at Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday, the hospital and club said in a joint statement yesterday.

The 23-year-old will remain anesthetized in intensive care for at least the next 24 hours after collapsing on the pitch at White Hart Lane where he was given CPR (cardiopulmonary resuscitation) by medics before being taken to hospital.

The match was abandoned at 1-1 just before halftime after Muamba fell to the turf near the center circle. No other player was involved in the incident and after a delay of several minutes referee Howard Webb took the teams off the field.

"Fabrice received prolonged resuscitation at the ground and on route to The London Chest Hospital, where his heart eventually started working," yesterday's hospital statement said. "As is normal medical practice, Fabrice remains anesthetized in intensive care and will be for at least 24 hours. His condition continues to be closely monitored by the cardiac specialists at the hospital."

Messages of support for England under-21 international Muamba have come flooding in from players, clubs and fans with flowers and messages delivered to the hospital and laid outside Bolton's Reebok Stadium.

Bolton's English Premier League game at Aston Villa, which was scheduled for tomorrow, has been postponed.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said in yesterday's statement: "Fabrice's family have asked me to pass on their thanks for the many, many kind messages of support from not only Bolton fans but also fans from clubs across the country and abroad.

"All our thoughts and prayers are for Fabrice and his family at this time. The family would also like to thank the media for respecting their privacy at this time."

Coyle had earlier said: "It's very serious. There's no getting away from that. God willing, he makes it through."

Muamba's family, including his fiancee Shauna and his brother, have visited the player.

Tottenham Chairman Daniel Levy issued a statement on the club's website saying: "Our thoughts are with Fabrice's family and Bolton Wanderers and we are all willing him to pull through. Events such as this put everything into perspective."

Supporters from both clubs sang Muamba's name when it became apparent his condition was serious as several players gathered around him, some crying and holding their heads in their hands.

As he was carried off the pitch on a stretcher there was applause from the crowd before the fans fell silent and filed out of the ground into the cold night air in somber mood.

Wolverhampton Wanderers and Manchester United players shared a minute's applause in support of Muamba before their league match yesterday.

Muamba, who was born in Democratic Republic of Congo, joined Bolton from Birmingham City in 2008 in a deal worth over 5 million pounds (US$7.92 million) and has made 130 league appearances for the Premier League club.

He came through Arsenal's youth academy and made two League Cup appearances for the north London club in the 2005-06 season.

Arsenal's England midfielder Jack Wilshere tweeted: "If you know him then you will know what type of a man he is! A leader and a genuinely nice guy! Everyone keep praying!"

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