Bolton and Blackburn Fans Unite for Muamba

Today's Lancashire derby was only ever going to be about one man and fans turned out in force to support Fabrice Muamba.

The Bolton midfielder remains in a serious condition at the London Chest Hospital after suffering a cardiac arrest on the pitch at Tottenham last Saturday.

The football world has united in support of Muamba in the past seven days and Bolton and Blackburn fans put their rivalry to one side ahead of the relegation six-pointer at the Reebok Stadium.

A sea of shirts with messages of support for the 23-year-old is growing in size outside the Trotters' home and a Blackburn jersey summed up the mood.

It read: 'Get well soon Fabrice. The whole footballing world is right behind you and wishing you a full and speedy recovery. Rivalry means nothing now. Keep fighting. Love to you and your family from BRFC.'

A mosaic spelling out Muamba's name and shirt number was held up by fans and a video display of his career was shown on the big screen.

The applause rang out from the moment the montage began and lasted through to the handshake.

Bolton boss Owen Coyle left it up to his players to decide if they wanted to sit the game out but none of them took him up on the offer and he was able to name an unchanged side.