FABRICE Muamba sent a surprise birthday message to an 18-year-old Bolton Wanderers fan — who has been in a coma since a horror road crash.

Charlie Potter has been in Salford Royal Hospital since the smash in January last year — when his friend Jack Butterworth lost control of his car in Rivington Road, Belmont.

The teenager is being treated in a specialist unit, leaving his family, including cousin Danielle Potter, praying for a miracle after being told by doctors he is unlikely to get better.

But the surprise email from Fabrice with an attached video has boosted 21-year-old Miss Potter's hope that Charlie will one day start to make a recovery.

The former Whites star said: "Hi Charlie, it's Fabrice Muamba here. I just wanted to wish you a happy 18th birthday. I will definitely keep you in my prayers. Hopefully you will get better soon. God bless."

Fabrice retired from football after suffering a cardiac arrest in 2012 during a home game against Tottenham Hotspur.

He survived despite his heart stopping for 78 minutes.

Miss Potter, who lives in Kearsley and works in the Grapes Hotel in Stoneclough, said: "We were told earlier this year that Charlie was going to stay in his unresponsive state and wasn't going to get any better.

"It was a real blow — it's the last thing you want to hear, so we are all hoping for a miracle.

"For his birthday we decided to get all his friends around for it — the hospital was full of people and we all enjoyed cakes and had a little party for him.

"To get the video message from Fabrice was a total shock — but I know that Charlie would be chuffed to bits if he knew that he'd done that for him.

"It is really comforting to know that people like him care."

Miss Potter is doing a sponsored skydive on June 13 to raise money for The Charlie Potter Fund, set up by Newbury Youth Club, Farnworth, to help pay for future care.

To donate, visit gofundme.com/gn7xxo