Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer has admitted that he is unsure whether he will play professional football again after suffering an on-pitch cardiac arrest in December.
The 29-year-old was featuring for the newly-promoted Hatters in a Premier League clash against Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on December 16 - a match that was eventually abandoned following the defender's medical emergency.
Luton had taken the lead in the contest in the early stages courtesy of Elijah Adebayo but the Cherries managed to level the scores in the 58th minute thanks to Dominic Solanke, and soon after Lockyer fell to the ground.
The Welshman was treated on the pitch by medical staff before being stretched off the field of play, and it was later revealed that the centre-back had suffered a cardiac arrest.
Speaking to Sky Sports News ahead of Luton's match against Manchester United on Sunday, Lockyer expressed his desire to return to action in the future but is not sure whether that will be a possibility.
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"It is out of my hands. I am going to be dictated to by the medical staff and specialists. If there is a chance I could play again - and I am not going to do anything against medical advice - then I would love to," explained Lockyer before the weekend's Kenilworth Road clash.
"But it is far too early to say. There are tests that have to happen in the background. But I wouldn't write it off yet.
"If I am not allowed to play again then I can say I captained Luton in the Premier League and I have scored a Premier League goal. I am very fortunate that I have had high moments in my career and scoring a Premier League goal is something you dream of as a kid.
"I am incredibly grateful to be alive. I have the device fitted now, and I almost feel invincible."
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Wearing the captain's armband for the opening months of Luton's first-ever Premier League campaign, Lockyer featured 14 times in the top flight for Rob Edwards's side.
The defender silenced Goodison Park back in September when his first-half strike sent the Hatters on their way to a famous victory over Sean Dyche's Everton on Merseyside.
Lockyer was rushed to hospital during Luton's playoff-final win over Coventry City at Wembley in May after collapsing on the pitch in the opening 15 minutes.
After the events of that match, the Wales international was fitted with a recording device in his chest which revealed that he had "literally died" for two minutes and 40 seconds at the Vitality Stadium in December.
Carter White
