Fabrice Muamba Improving, FA Cup Semi-final Dates Confirmed

Both matches will, of course, take place at Wembley Stadium. Liverpool will take on the winner of the Everton Sunderland replay on Saturday, April 14th. Chelsea will play either Bolton Wanderers or Tottenham Hotspur on Sunday, April 15th.

Bolton have obviously been unconcerned about the replay against Spurs, with captain Kevin Davies even suggesting the club may pull out of the FA Cup competition altogether. That said, Fabrice Muamba has shown some improvement in the hospital over the last 24 hours. He is breathing on his own, recognizing family members and friends, and able to speak, minimally, in both English and French.

Given this good news, it is likely that the two clubs and the FA will settle on a date for the replay at White Hart Lane, with Tuesday March 27th and Wednesday March 28th the likely dates. By then Spurs' players will have completed full cardiac testing, which they demanded after the events of Saturday.

Bolton's scheduled match against Aston Villa that was to have taken place tonight has been postponed. Blackburn have offered to postpone Saturday's relegation six-pointer at the Reebok; However, if Fabrice continues to make progress, that game is likely to be on.

It is strange time for Bolton Wanderers Football Club and their supporters, as we all still only care about the health of one of our own, but do know, in the back of our minds, that the Trotters must return to the pitch soon. The optimist in me likes to think that whenever we do, Fabrice will be sitting up in his hospital bed and cheering us on.