FORMER Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba has urged Christian Eriksen to “think long and hard” about returning to the pitch.

Eriksen hasn’t played since suffering a cardiac arrest while representing Denmark against Finland at Euro 2020.

However, the former Tottenham midfielder has been linked with a return to the Premier League with Brentford.

Eriksen is keen to resume his playing career and wants to represent his country at the upcoming World Cup in Qatar.

But Muamba – who also suffered a cardiac arrest while playing for the Whites back in 2012 – fears it isn’t in his best interests.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, he said: “Speaking from experience, I can see the idea of him wanting to play.

“I’ve said many times, football is the biggest drug ever and to be told to retire due to a condition you have no control of, it’s difficult to take.

“I find it difficult to understand the thought process of him running around and playing in an intense area.

“Does he really need to come back and play the game? He must have some unfinished business in football.

“The more I think about it, the more worried I get. The people who are looking after Christian, they need to look at the bigger picture.

“He has a young family. I just think the risk is too much.”

Eriksen later revealed he “died for five minutes” before being resuscitated on the pitch by medical staff.

Inter Milan terminated the midfielder’s contract last month due to Serie A rules, which do not permit players who have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator to compete.

Muamba added: “To get back and play, it doesn’t feel comfortable. I think every time he fell down on the floor, everybody would think the worst.

“That’s not what you want - you want to watch football and enjoy the skills and great stuff.

“I hope he will think long and hard about coming back because your health is everything.

“I wish him all the best and if he ever wants to reach out and have a conversation, I’m more than happy to speak to him.”

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