The Luton skipper had an operation on an irregular heartbeat earlier this year (Pictures: Getty)
Luton Town say Tom Lockyer is ‘responsive’ after he collapsed on the pitch during the Premier League match at Bournemouth on Saturday.
In an off the ball incident with no-one around him, the 29-year-old fell to his knees and then onto his stomach in the 55th minute and required immediate medical attention as physios and doctors from both teams rushed on to help him.
The frightening scenes were reminiscent of last season’s Championship Play-Off final against Coventry in May when he was stretched off the pitch after collapsing 11 minutes into the game at Wembley.
Lockyer was eventually stretchered off the pitch, and according to the Bournemouth team doctor, he was ‘alert and responsive’ in the tunnel before being taken to hospital.
Luton have now released this statement on Lockyer’s condition: ‘We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is thankfully responsive and has been taken to hospital.
‘We don’t know the full extent of what happened and what the next steps are at this stage, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for their immediate response, which was absolutely amazing.
‘We are sorry to all supporters present that players from both sides were in no state of mind to continue with the game after seeing their much-loved team-mate and friend taken off like that, and staff could not carry on with managing the game in such circumstances having had to deal with the situation.
‘We thank everyone for the wonderful applause and singing of Locks’ name inside the stadium at such a difficult time. Now is the time for all of our players, staff and supporters to come together as we always do and give our love and support to Tom and his family.
‘Our thoughts are with him and them all.’
Referee Simon Hooper initially suspended the match before it was later abandoned with the two sides re-emerging from the tunnel to do a lap around the Vitality Stadium
Luton boss Rob Edwards was in tears as he walked around the pitch, with all players applauding supporters who clapped and sung Lockyer’s name.
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Bournemouth later added their own statement on the incident: ‘We’re relieved to hear Tom is responsive.
‘Our thoughts will continue to be with Tom and his family at this time.
‘We’d like to thank all the medical staff for their quick action as well as everyone inside the stadium for their support and unity during a difficult moment.’
MORE : Bournemouth and Luton game abandoned after Tom Lockyer collapses on pitch
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