Muamba improvement lifts Spurs
Harry Redknapp revealed his Tottenham players were staying positive following the trauma of Fabrice Muamba's cardiac arrest as they look to "get back on the bike" and return to action in the Barclays Premier League against Stoke on Wednesday night.
On Monday night it was confirmed the 23-year-old was able to answer questions and speak in both French and English, which represents a dramatic improvement for the Bolton midfielder, whose heart stopped for two hours following his collapse during the first half of his side's FA Cup quarter-final at White Hart Lane on Saturday evening.
"I spoke to (Bolton manager) Owen Coyle late last night, and he said they had had as good a day as could have been expected," said Redknapp. "All the lads are buoyed by the news which has come through, things have obviously picked up."
Spurs' players and coaching staff alike were all moved by the experience, with both counselling offered by the club as well as the opportunity for heart tests at the training ground in Chigwell.
Redknapp hopes the positive news coming from the London Chest Hospital concerning Muamba will allow focus to return to football on Wednesday night, when Spurs will aim to get their Premier League campaign up and running again following three straight defeats.
Redknapp, who revealed Stoke manager Tony Pulis had offered support to postpone the game if deemed necessary, added: "There is still a long way to go, but things are moving in the right direction and we will keep our fingers crossed for the boy.
"We had people come in yesterday, but the lads are fine at the moment.
"Sometimes the best thing is to get back on the bike if you fall off, and we need to do that, we need to get going again. We need to play tomorrow night and we are ready to play.
"It will be a very tough game and we need to be ready to play, if we are not, then we will be in trouble with Stoke, that is for sure. The players were fine when they trained yesterday morning, and I am sure they will be fine today and ready to play tomorrow."
Redknapp, though, stressed he would manage the situation carefully, and said: "If there is anybody who today feels they are not in the right frame of mind to play, then obviously I would not play them. But if everybody is okay, I will pick a team which is the best to try to win the game."
