Michael Mancienne has admitted his sorrow for stricken former England colleague Fabrice Muamba.
Hamburg defender also determined to become 'one of the best'
Michael Mancienne has admitted his sorrow for stricken former England colleague Fabrice Muamba.
The pair played together at various international age groups throughout their development and became good friends.
And so Mancienne, who last summer joined Hamburg, was understandably upset to learn last weekend of the cardiac arrest which left Muamba fighting for his life.
The Bolton player's condition has stabilised, but he remains in the intensive care unit of the London Chest Hospital and Mancienne's thoughts are with his previous team-mate.
"I was out in a restaurant with one of the other Hamburg players when I heard. I just felt sick immediately. Really bad. I was searching for news all night after that," the ex-Chelsea player said in the
Daily Mail.
"We were in all the England under-age groups together. All of us knew him as 'Fab'. I know him really well. He's just a really good, honest man - very religious.
No regrets
"I'm over here (Germany), but I'm thinking of you, Fab."
Muamba's health scare meant Mancienne's return to Hamburg's first team, which came on the same Saturday, was overshadowed.
Mancienne, though, is thinking of his own career and he insists he is happy in Germany, despite previously losing his place in the first XI after injury.
Hamburg have changed managers since the 24-year-old moved to the Bundesliga on a four-year contract, with Thorsten Fink succeeding Michael Oenning.
And Mancienne could therefore not feature in his new boss' plans, but he said: "I've not come here to go home early. The first year is nearly done.
"It's gone so quick. I know I've enjoyed it, because it has gone so quick. I have not had one day when I've regretted it.
"At the same time, I want to play, I need to play, I want to become one of the best defenders in the Bundesliga."
