Fabrice Muamba Update: Bolton Star Continues to Show Daily Improvement

A return to football remains a long way off for Fabrice Muamba, if not a pipe dream entirely at this point, though the steady stabilization of the Bolton Wanderer's health, day by day, is encouraging nonetheless.

According to ESPN Soccernet, Muamba had a "comfortable night" at London Chest Hospital on Monday night and into Tuesday, though he remains in serious condition after collapsing into cardiac arrest during the Trotters' FA Cup tie with Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane on Saturday.

Muamba showed significant improvement during the day, when he began to move his arms and legs and was able to communicate, in English and French, for the first time since the incident.

As promising and encouraging as Muamba's progress may be, it hasn't been enough to ease the worried mind of Bolton boss Owen Coyle, whose focus remains firmly on the Congo-born midfielder's well-being rather than his club's battle to avoid relegation out of the English Premier League.

Says Coyle:

"

In the course of today, as we hope and pray that Fabrice continues to improve, that's something we will have to look at. My thoughts are that we will have the group back in training tomorrow and we will look at it from then. The one concern we all have is for Fabrice only.

"

The path ahead is still a long and arduous one for Muamba, and there's no telling at this point whether or not he'll make a full recovery.

Neither is there any clear sense yet as to what may have caused Muamba to go into cardiac arrest in the middle of a match. Some doctors, including Dr. William McKenna of the University College London, have told the Associated Press that Muamba's symptoms may have been brought on by vigorous physical activity.

“Exercise could be a trigger for a cardiac event. If you have a known problem and push the system to the limit, it may fall apart,” said McKenna.

Added Dr. Douglas Zipes of Indiana University:

"

In someone his age, genetic abnormalities are the most common cause...Athletes under the stress of a game have a lot of adrenalin in their bodies. That can interact with an underlying congenital problem and cause a cardiac arrest.

"

Follow @J0shMart1n