BOLTON Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba remains in a critical condition in hospital this morning after collapsing during the club's FA Cup match with Tottenham.

A joint statement released by the club and the London Chest Hospital, where he is being treated, said he remains in a critical condition in intensive care.

The statement said: "Fabrice Muamba remains in a critical condition in intensive care in the Heart Attack Centre at the London Chest Hospital.

"He was admitted to the hospital yesterday evening after collapsing at White Hart Lane, where he sustained a cardiac arrest during the FA Cup quarter final against Tottenham Hotspur.

"Fabrice received prolonged resuscitation at the ground and on route to the London Chest Hospital, where his heart eventually started working.

"As is normal medical practice, Fabrice remains anaesthetised 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."

Bolton manager Owen Coyle said: "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."

Medics spent ten minutes trying to resuscitate the 23-year-old midfielder on the field before the players were called off by referee Howard Webb.

In the early hours of this morning, Coyle told Sky News: "Fabrice is critically ill. The next 24 hours are going to be absolutely crucial.

"We've obviously been inundated with people wishing him well and we hope that if everybody can pray strongly tonight that Fabrice is able to recover. It's very serious. There's not getting away from that. He's critically ill and God willing he makes it through."

The score was 1-1 when Muamba collapsed with no players close-by on 41 minutes.

Medical staff gave him mouth-to-mouth resuscitation and tried to revive him with a defibrillator. In total six medics were treating the player.

Muamba was taken off the pitch on a stretcher and ESPN reported that he was not breathing as he was taken down the tunnel.

Commentating on ESPN, John Barnes said: "From the players' reaction on both sides it seemed that things were pretty serious."

Kevin Keegan added: "Jermain Defoe seemed absolutely distraught. The fans are in a state of shock. I've never seen anything like that on a football pitch before. Our hearts go out to his family."

The former Arsenal midfielder has been taken to hospital.

Referee Webb called the visibly shaken players off the field after consulting with managers Owen Coyle and Harry Redknapp.

The match was abandoned moments later.

Messages of support have been flooding in for the player.

Middlesbrough defender Justin Hoyte, who played in the Arsenal youth team with Muamba, tweeted: "I seriously hope my best friend in football is OK. Stay strong bro please please stay strong. God is with you remember that."

A few minutes later Hoyte added: "He has been there for me since we was little an I cannot imagine life without such a great guy! Love him to bits."

And just after 10pm, he said: "My thoughts are with your family who are with u now bro and to everyone who is close to u. Please hospital do everything u can please."

Hoyte's teammate Joe Bennett tweeted: "Football means nothing when you see moments like that. Really hope Fabrice can pull through."

Middlesbrough FC tweeted: "The thoughts of all at Middlesbrough FC are with Fabrice Muamba and his family and friends including @justinhoyte84 tonight."

Spurs midfielder Rafael van der Vaart, who was involved in the game, also turned to Twitter to express his feelings.

"Terrible what happened with Muamba during the game. We're all praying for him," he said.

The scene recalled memories of Cameroon's Marc Vivien-Foe who collapsed and died during a Confederations Cup match in 2003.

Football Association chairman David Bernstein said: "On behalf of The FA, I would like to send our thoughts and prayers to Fabrice Muamba and his family this evening.

"Fabrice has played 33 times for England Under-21s, captaining Stuart Pearce's side during this time and is a player, and more importantly, a person we care greatly for.

"We are in contact with Bolton Wanderers over Fabrice's condition and are awaiting updates."

Premier League Chief Executive Richard Scudamore said: "The thoughts of the Premier League, its clubs and players are with Fabrice Muamba, his family and Bolton Wanderers.

"We would like to praise the players, match officials, coaching staff and medical teams of both clubs at White Hart Lane for their swift actions in attending Fabrice.

"The League would also like to commend the compassion shown by the fans of Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur.

"We hope to hear positive news about Fabrice who is and has been a wonderful ambassador for the English game and the League at Arsenal, Birmingham City and Bolton Wanderers."