A reported update emerges on whether Tom Lockyer will continue his playing career or not after his previous cardiac arrest.
It’s claimed that he is optimistic about making a comeback following a period of rehabilitation with heart specialists in the Netherlands.
The 29 year old said last season that he would ‘at peace’ with retirement if medical professionals advised him to stop playing after his cardiac arrest in December 2023 in a Premier League game against Bournemouth.
His heart didn’t beat for over two-and-a-half minutes, and this came seven months after he collapsed at Wembley during the Championship playoff win against Coventry City.
📰 Paper Talk: “Lockyer hopes to resume playing career after rehabbing with heart specialists in Amsterdam”.
Given his health condition and how important he is both on/off the pitch, would you like to see Lockyer back in the squad or not?https://t.co/vhh9SXRzmE#COYH | #LTFC
— Oak Road Hatter (@OakRoadHatter) August 5, 2024
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He was fitted with an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) to regulate his abnormal heart rhythm, but now reports are saying he is eyeing up a potential return to the sport having been inspired by Christian Eriksen.
Lockyer has been keeping up his fitness seemingly taking up golf and tennis, cheekily hinting at a career change in his Instagram posts.
He hasn’t trained since returning from Amsterdam as Rob Edwards’ side get prepared for their opening league fixture against Burnley on Monday.
It’s said that Lockyer has visited cardiologist Professor Sanjay Shah, the same person who helped Christian Eriksen, who also was fitted with an ICD, return after his cardiac arrest at Euro 2020.
In May, Lockyer admitted a decision over whether he can play again will be out of his hands however, saying: ‘At any stage, the cardiologist could say you can’t play again.
‘I am at peace with that though if that is to happen. I’d just look at it as a positive that I am still here, not that I can’t play again.
‘A decision is out of my hands. I would love to play again, I’ve made no secret in saying that but it would have to be done safely.
‘I feel safer than I’ve ever felt before. I’ve got a defibrillator in my side. Ultimately the decision is not with me.
‘I’m incredibly fortunate to have had a 10-year career that saw me play in every league, non-League, to the Premier League and scored in every one.
‘I’ve got 14 caps for Wales, too. It’s more than I ever thought.’
He appeared on various media and news channels, talking about on his cardiac arrest.
While on ITV’s Good Morning Britain, Lockyer said: ‘There was no doubt this time and I kind of knew as well which is why when I started coming round and I couldn’t move or speak, the staff there on site were more in “go-mode”. They were focused and it was very serious.
‘That’s when I was like, “wow, I could be dying”. Obviously when you’re lying there and you can’t speak and can’t move, it’s not a nice feeling to have.
‘But when I could move and speak, I felt fine, which is the mad thing. I wasn’t in any sort of pain. My heart got back into rhythm thanks to the incredible medical staff.
‘I’m so lucky it happened where it did because if it was to happen outside of hospital or a football pitch, the survival rate is only one in 10.’
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This is how fans reacted as a reported update emerges on whether Tom Lockyer will continue playing or not after his cardiac arrest…
@SaraWingrave: Had the pleasure of chatting with him at the end of last season, he said that he was hoping to stay with Luton, I asked if that was likely to be on the pitch or in another capacity, and he said he very much hoped it would be on the pitch. I hope it happens for him.
@BrixtonHatter: He will want to play and it’s up to the doctors to say yes or no
@platter11: Will he be fit for Monday?
@ChauhanEthan: Ultimately it’s down to the specialists, himself and his family. If the green light is given I’m happy to see him back playing as we definitely need a player like him in the squad. Was immense last time out in championship
@SirQuinnith: Would love him to but it doesn’t feel right to me that he does
@nickverney: I’d like Tom Lockyer to have a long and happy life with his family more than I’d like to see him play for Luton again to be honest
@Jago20122: I would be permanently terrified.
@cjanedowse: Will be a good day when we see him with his boots on . Good luck Tom.
@FanHubHatter: Would love for him to come back. But why are we reading this on the daily mail page, we’ve not had an update about Locks for ages now.
@LTFC_Dave: 100%. Even if he can’t be influential as he was beforehand he can still play a part. That being said, can you imagine the nerves every time he goes down? I’m not sure his family want that
@SSE_LTFC: Let’s be honest the clubs communication skills have never been great but we have got worse since the play off final
@MegaDarkFlames: I hope even in retirement, he will be a main part of Luton Town
@ltfc_rhys: I’d love him to play again like us all,I love the man but like you said the nerves of his family would be crazy. even if he retires I think he’ll have a coaching role with us
No question that it would be some comeback… pic.twitter.com/2XIqkMfvir
— Tom Nicholson (@MrTNicholson) August 5, 2024
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