Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba 'taking steps' reveals Owen Coyle

Fabrice Muamba poses for a photograph in the London Chest Hospital in east London (Reuters)

Fabrice Muamba, the Bolton player who suffered a cardiac arrest at White Hart Lane, has been walking around in hospital.

Bolton manager Owen Coyle revealed the latest news on the midfielder during a press conference this morning.

"He is taking steps, talking and has that big smile which we love to see, so he is certainly progressing the right way."

The update from Coyle is the latest piece of positive news on Muamba's recovery since the incident which happened during Bolton's FA Cup match with Tottenham on 17 March.

During the final minutes of the first half of the quarter-final match, Muamba suddenly collapsed, with no other players near him, as he suffered a cardiac arrest. Medics acted quickly to try and start his heart again before he was carried off on a stretcher wearing an oxygen mask.

After six minutes of treatment, he was taken to the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green, east London, where he remains. The televised match was abandoned.

It was later revealed that the Zaire born midfielder was "effectively dead" for 78 minutes.

All those who paid tributes to the former England under-21 international and the wider football world, will be relieved at the news. It follows a photograph of the player, who turns 24 tomorrow, Tweeted from hospital last week.

Coyle added this morning: "A couple of players have been sending him messages and we are keeping in touch. It has been great to see that smile and he continues to get better.

"We have to stress that he still has a long way to go, but the improvement has been remarkable and long may that continue."