The moment that Fabrice Muamba was assisited by the medical staff. Pic: Crystian Cruz, Flick

Flower tributes are piling up outside the London Chest Hospital in Bethnal Green where footballer Fabrice Muamba, remains in a critical condition following a cardiac arrest during a match on Saturday.

Chelsea defender Ashley Cole, Queens Park Rangers player Shaun Wright-Phillips, and former team-mate and Arsenal player Johan Djourou, have all visited the hospital to offer their support.

A recent statement released by the hospital said: “Fabrice Muamba remains in intensive care at The London Chest Hospital.

“He is currently able to breathe independently without the aid of a ventilator.  He has also been able to recognise family members and respond to questions appropriately.”

It was during the FA Cup quarterfinal between his club Bolton Wanderers and Tottenham Hotspur at White Hart Lane, that the 23-year-old mid-fielder suddenly fell to the ground in front of millions of viewers.

Several paramedics tried to resuscitate him, but his heart only started beating on its own again almost two hours later, as he reached London Chest Hospital at 8pm.

On Monday morning, Owen Coyle Muamba’s manager, and Phil Gartside Bolton chairman, visited the hospital. Coyle said: “The message is the good will, the prayers from everybody, they are so thankful and they want to put that on record – to say ‘keep up the prayers, thanks for all the support.'”

He added: “They have been inundated as we all have, both in the football community globally and family and friends. People are taking a genuine interest and a real concern with how Fabrice is doing.”

Bolton has postponed their next fixture, a Premier League match against Aston Villa, which was due to take place Tuesday evening.