Muamba 'overwhelmed' by fans' backing

London: Fabrice Muamba thanked fans for the overwhelming support he received on the pitch just two months after suffering a cardiac arrest in the FA Cup tie between the two clubs at White Hart Lane. Muamba was in the crowd at the Reebok Stadium as he attended a football game for the first time since the incident occurred.

The England Under-21 international was discharged from the London Chest Hospital on April 16 and has since continued his remarkable recovery in the north-west. An emotional Muamba was given a standing ovation by both sets of fans as he walked onto the pitch shortly before kick-off.

The 24-year-old spoke of his appreciation for the support he received and of his ever improving condition. He told Sky Sports: "I'm ok. I'm getting stronger everyday. I'm happy to be back and I'm happy to see the fans outside.

Muamba thanked fans for the support he received on the pitch just two months after suffering a cardiac arrest.

"I'm overwhelmed by the support I got. I'm just happy to be able to speak to people again and to be able to walk freely, so I'm just happy that I'm here.

"[The Reebok Stadium] is a special place. If you play for this football club you know what a special place it is. The support that I got is overwhelming and I'm grateful for it." Muamba also thanked the entire footballing world for the support offered to him and his family throughout his recovery.

He said: "It helps me every single day. I've still got about six or seven boxes to go through of well wishes cards so I'm grateful for that. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. The support has been overwhelming and I'm just grateful to be able to walk again and to do things normally again so my message is going to be thank you."

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