DARREN Pratley believes the energy passed on from the Reebok crowd on Saturday helped him make sure the toughest week of his footballing career ended on a good note.

The midfielder admitted he had been badly affected by the nightmarish scenes at White Hart Lane nine days ago, when he watched Fabrice Muamba go into cardiac arrest on the pitch.

But after visiting Muamba in hospital and speaking with his father Marcel and fiancée Shauna about playing again, Pratley said it was a case of riding the wave of emotion flooding on to the pitch from the terraces.

“It’s been the hardest week of my career; seeing everything that went on on the pitch at Spurs,” Pratley said.

“The doctor said he was dead on the pitch, and when you have seen that close up, it was hard to sleep. But Fabrice’s family wanted us to play and we’ll do anything to make sure he’s happy.

“There have been times this week that I didn’t even know what day it was. The game has come around so quick.

“When I saw him on Tuesday it was only for about 30 seconds, but it was enough for me.

“The fans showed how much Fabrice means to them by leaving the shirts, cards and messages outside; not just Bolton supporters, but all fans.

“The atmosphere was great, and it was easy to play the game. We are going to need that support until the end of the season.

“It’s been hard for everyone but if us winning a game gives Fabrice a little bit of energy in his recovery then it is completely worth it.”