McDermott speaks out on ill Muamba

Reading manager Brian McDermott has paid his tributes to critically-ill Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba, who suffered a cardiac arrest on Saturday.

The 23-year old suffered the horrific injury on 40 minutes during Bolton's FA Cup Quarter Final with Tottenham at White Hart Lane. After being given medical treatment, he is still critically ill and in intensive care. The Royals boss spoke of his experiences of him and how they almost signed the England U21 midfielder.

McDermott told the official RFC site: 'He's a lovely man, I met him with Nick Hammond about four years ago when we were in the Premier League looking to do something [in terms of signing him], we couldn't do it at the time, we met him and his agent, he's a really top bloke and a nice guy.'

'I texted Owen Coyle after the game, wished him, Fabrice and his family well and he came straight back to me to say thank you. There's been so much support, so much good will, and I just hope some good can come from it. Our thoughts and prayers are with him.'

Bolton have moved quickly to postpone their game with Aston Villa tomorrow and are even considering withdrawing from the FA Cup due to the psychological implications. It has also seen football fans across the globe come together in sympathy for Muamba, with Real Madrid wearing shirts last night reading 'get well soon Muamba'.

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