FABRICE Muamba will make his return to Premier League football fitted with a special electrical device that could save his life if he ever went into cardiac arrest again.
Nearly a month after he collapsed on the pitch during the FA Cup quarter final against Tottenham, the 24-year-old midfielder is preparing to head home from the London Chest Hospital to resume his playing career against the odds.
Muamba’s heart had stopped beating on its own for 78 minutes before medics were able to revive him, but a minor operation carried out yesterday should ensure he is protected in the future should the problem strike again.
Doctors have inserted an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) just under the former England Under-21 international’s collar bone, which releases an electric charge in the event of heart malfunction.
The device will not impair Muamba from playing football, and he remains on course to return to the North West tomorrow to be treated at the Alexandra Hospital in Cheadle before returning home for good.
Khalilou Fadiga, a former South Africa international, became the first professional footballer to wear an ICD after he collapsed playing for Bolton before a game, ironically also against Tottenham, in October 2004.
His problem had been caused by an irregular heartbeat, but he came back to play for Wanderers again after making a full recovery.
And the former midfielder, now aged 37, warned Muamba that he must be psychologically ready, as well as physically, if he is to make a successful return to the game.
“It will be very tough for Muamba because people won’t believe he will kick a ball again after all he has been through,”
said Fadiga, who now lives in Belgium.
“It is up to him. I know I wanted to play again and I did have a career. I didn't have any more problems with my heart.”
Fadiga had played for Italian giants Inter Milan when he first discovered problems with his heart but claimed that his career was rescued at Bolton following the hour-long operation.
“They gave me the confidence to carry on and I will always thank them for that.” he said.
“I am sure Bolton will do the same for Muamba.”
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