Muamba devastated after quitting game

Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba has spoken of his devastation at being forced to retire from football due to the heart attack he suffered in March.

The npower Championship club have announced that the 24-year-old - who had hoped to make a comeback - had made the decision to retire from the professional game after taking medical advice. "While the news is devastating, I have much to be thankful for," said Muamba. "I thank God that I am alive and I pay tribute once again to the members of the medical team who never gave up on me." Muamba collapsed while playing for Bolton against Tottenham at White Hart Lane in an FA Cup match on March 17. He received lengthy attention on the pitch and it later emerged that his heart had stopped for 78 minutes. Remarkably he made a stunning recovery and left hospital a month later.