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.

Fabrice Muamba's manager at Premier League club Bolton said he was "astonished" at the midfielder's improvement since suffering an on-field cardiac arrest on Saturday.

Muamba's heart stopped beating on its own for 78 minutes after he collapsed during an FA Cup match at Tottenham. Owen Coyle said the player was "still in intensive care and in a serious condition" at London Chest Hospital, but that he has improved dramatically. Bolton will return to action on Saturday against Blackburn, and Coyle said he will let players upset at witnessing Muamba's collapse sit out the Premier League game if they feel unready to play.