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We'll play for Muamba - Coyle

Owen Coyle is hopeful Fabrice Muamba's remarkable recovery will continue © Getty Images

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Bolton manager Owen Coyle has revealed the club are ready to return to footballing matters, after Fabrice Muamba and his family urged the club to fulfil their forthcoming fixtures.

Bolton will face Blackburn in the Premier League on Saturday in their first game since Muamba collapsed at White Hart Lane on Saturday, before playing the re-arranged FA Cup fixture against Tottenham next Tuesday.

Coyle has admitted that the players are still pre-occupied with Muamba's plight, but are eager to do him proud on the pitch after hearing that the 23-year-old wanted them to resume fixtures as soon as possible.

"You don't move on," Coyle said. "We have a game to play and we have to go and play it.

"Will it be difficult? Absolutely. Our thoughts are still with Fabrice Muamba."

He added: "I wouldn't ask anybody to play who felt they couldn't. So far, no-one has told me they don't want to be involved.

"There comes a point that we have to play our games and move forward.

"I spoke to them [Muamba and his family] for over an hour and they were adamant, Bolton had to play their games.

"Everything does pale into insignificance alongside Fabrice's recovery, but we will go out there and do our best."

After being unable to sleep on Sunday night in the knowledge that Monday would be a crucial day in Muamba's ongoing recovery, Coyle admits he is now increasingly optimistic that the former Arsenal youngster is firmly on the mend - although he preached ongoing caution in what are unique circumstances.

"We are all astonished with how far he has come," he added. "But we have to stress he is still in intensive care and he is still seriously ill. He has a long way to go.

"But what has happened is encouraging and we have to keep that in our thoughts"

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