Former Boxer Michael Watson expressed confidence that Bolton Wanderers midfielder Fabrice Muamba will recover, saying that "miracles do happen".

Watson collapsed with a brain injury in a title fight with Chris Eubank in 1991, and admitted that the Muamba ordeal had reminded him of his own misfortunes.

"People talk about fate, but when I heard what had happened to Fabrice Muamba - at White Hart Lane, of all places – it blew my mind to pieces," Watson told The Mirror.

"As well as feeling terrible for a footballer and what his family are going through, it brought a lot of painful memories flooding back.

"I went through hell and back. Nobody outside my hospital room gave me a chance. I lay in bed listening to doctors warning my mum I would be vegetable if I survived, but I confounded them.

"And I know Fabrice will get better because you can't keep a good man down, and I'm told he is a good man. If we keep praying for him, it will release the fighting spirit in him. It's a test of faith, it's all about staying positive. I believe he will get better because miracles do happen – I'm the proof."

Muamba is making steady progress on his road to recovery.