FABRICE Muamba was able to watch fans’ tributes and match highlights from his hospital bed.

The 23-year-old, who remains in intensive care, was given the bedside cheer when he followed Wanderers’ 2-1 victory over Blackburn Rovers on BBC’s Match Of The Day.

He also sent a brief “good luck”

message to his teammates ahead of the game on Saturday as both sets of fans united to show their support of him.

It was the first time many Wanderers’ fans had the chance to personally display their feelings and best wishes to Muamba and the >> BY JESSICA BELL jessica.bell@theboltonnews.co.uk wider world since his collapse during last Saturday’s FA Cup tie at Spurs.

And it was summed up minutes before the kickoff when fans in the Nat Lofthouse stand created a huge mosaic for Muamba, lifting 3,000 cards in the air, spelling out his name and shirt number.

Two minutes of applause in honour of the player then resounded round the stadium from the crowd of 26,901.

Both teams had warmedup in T-shirts emblazoned with “Muamba 6”.

His fiancee, Shauna Magunda, tweeted before the match: “Sun is shining, I’m so happy God is AMAZING. Never take 4 granted all u love and cherish.”

Rivalry was put aside on an emotionally charged afternoon when fans from both teams arrived early at the Reebok Stadium to show their feelings.

Rovers football shirts lay alongside those put down by Wanderers’ fans at the Reebok’s memorial.

The mood was sombre, as people laid flowers, cards, shirts, scarves and tributes for Muamba.

But elsewhere around the ground there was a carnival atmosphere as people made the most of the early spring sunshine.

Wanderers fan Andrew Nicholls, a learning mentor from Harper Green School in Farnworth, had a huge poster made by Year Seven pupils at the school.

It read: “To Fabrice, best wishes for a speedy recovery.

Our thoughts are with you and your family. From the pupils and staff at Harper Green School, Farnworth.”

Mr Nicholls said: “The Year Sevens asked me to bring it to show our support.

We are all thinking about him.”

Blackburn fan Neil Wallbank said he was happy to hear Muamba was on the mend.

“It’s really great news to hear that he’s on the mend and I think it will be a bit emotional in the ground at first, but as soon as the whistle goes, it’s all about the football,” he said.

Another Rovers fan, Lauren Cunliffe, aged 19, said she had been praying for Muamba.

“I think all the teams have come together and we have been hoping that he will get better.”

At the final whistle, Muamba’s name was also sung out by the crowd as his teammates celebrated their victory with a mass huddle.

Muamba, who is being treated at the London Chest Hospital, faces a long road to recovery, according to a joint statement issued on Friday by the player’s father, Marcel, and fiancee, Shauna.

“Even though Fabrice has made great progress over the past couple of days, he is still in intensive care and still has a long period of recovery ahead,”

they said.

“He has asked that you please keep him in your prayers.”