Bolton midfielder Fabrice Muamba made an emotional return to Reebok Stadium, waving tearfully to supporters from the field less than seven weeks after his on-field cardiac arrest.

Muamba said he was “getting stronger every day” following his cardiac arrest as he thanked fans for their support on Wednesday.

Muamba spoke before kick-off in the Premier League match between relegation-threatened Bolton and Tottenham Hotspur.

The 24-year-old Zaire-born player collapsed during Bolton’s FA Cup match against Tottenham at White Hart Lane on March 17.

He was technically dead for 78 minutes and unconscious in hospital for three days. However, he was eventually released from the hospital last month.

“I’m getting stronger every day,” Muamba told the BBC on Wednesday.

“I am happy to be back, I was overwhelmed with the support I got and it helps me every single day,” added Muamba, who was applauded as he walked onto the pitch.

“I’ve still got six or seven boxes of cards to go through that I haven’t opened yet.”

Muamba told Sky Sports in a separate interview: “I wish I was playing today, obviously my circumstances are not helping at the moment but I’m sure the boys will go out and give their best today.”

Although the speed of Muamba’s recovery has amazed his doctors, it is still uncertain if he will ever play professional football again.