Tom Lockyer, 29, returns to Luton training as Championship season starts having ‘died’ on pitch just eight months ago

TOM LOCKYER has returned to training eight months after he suffered a cardiac arrest.

The Luton Town captain collapsed to the pitch during the Premier League clash against Bournemouth in December.

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Lockyer , 29, admitted that he “literally died” after his heart stopped for two minutes and 40 seconds on the pitch.

The defender also collapsed during the Championship play-off final against Coventry last May.

For the past few months he has been undergoing rehab with heart specialists in Amsterdam with the aim of returning to action.

Luton have now confirmed that Lockyer is back on the grass at the club’s training base.

He is currently undergoing an individual training plan and has been welcomed back by manager Rob Edwards and his team-mates.

Lockyer is also continuing to work with the British Heart Foundation in spreading awareness of CPR and using a defibrillator.

A club statement read: “We are so pleased to be able to inform our supporters and everyone around the world who has sent him their support that our captain, Tom Lockyer, has today returned to The Brache to start the next phase of his rehabilitation.

“Tom has been under the guidance and care of leading consultants in London and Amsterdam, where he has been completing the most recent phase of his rehabilitation at a specialist clinic.

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“For now, Tom will work individually back at The Brache, but his very presence around the training ground will be welcomed by all of his team-mates, manager Rob Edwards and the coaching staff.

“Whilst continuing his rehab, Tom will continue his work with the British Heart Foundation in spreading the importance of knowing CPR and how to use a defibrillator, and he will now be focussing fully on his next stage of the rehabilitation.

“We ask that he is allowed to do this at his own pace, in private, to ultimately give himself the best chance of completing the next phases of his rehabilitation program.

“Welcome back, Locks!”

Lockyer saw Professor Sanjay Shah, a London-based cardiologist.

He is the same man who helped Christian Eriksen return to action following his cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener in June 2021.

Eriksen had an ICD fitted and spent nine months on the sidelines.

He was unable to resume his career at Inter Milan as he could not get insured, so joined Brentford in January 2022 before moving to Manchester United that summer.

Meanwhile, Luton have kicked off their Championship season as they search for a quick return to the Premier League.

However, the Hatters were thumped 4-1 by Burnley at Kenilworth Road in Scott Parker ‘s first match as the Clarets boss.

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