Luton Town have paid tribute to captain Tom Lockyer on the cover of their matchday programme for Saturday’s game at home to Newcastle.
Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during Luton’s fixture against Bournemouth last weekend, with the game subsequently being abandoned.
The 29-year-old is now out of hospital after having a defibrillator fitted.
Luton’s game against Newcastle is their first home fixture since Lockyer collapsed on the pitch. It is expected that there will be much support for Lockyer, with a banner having been prepared by fans.
Luton manager Rob Edwards praised Lockyer ahead of the game against Newcastle.
Luton have paid tribute to captain Tom Lockyer on the cover of their matchday programme
![Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during Luton's game against Bournemouth last weekend](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/23/13/79283989-0-image-m-24_1703339206672.jpg)
Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest during Luton’s game against Bournemouth last weekend
![Luton fans have prepared a banner in support of Lockyer ahead of the Newcastle game](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/23/14/79284233-12896393-image-a-42_1703340325228.jpg)
Luton fans have prepared a banner in support of Lockyer ahead of the Newcastle game
Your browser does not support iframes.
Edwards said: ‘We have to celebrate that Tom is here with us and the amazing work everyone did.
‘He’s an incredible man. A brilliant footballer who has dragged himself through the leagues to become a Premier League footballer. He’s a leader and an inspirational figure.
‘He is one of the most important players this club has ever had, and his name will be sung for a long, long time by our supporters.
‘We’ve spoken about that and what he means to us. We want to embody that as a team. If we can all act, behave, play like Tom then we’re going the right way.’
Lockyer also collapsed on the pitch during Luton’s Championship play-off final against Coventry last season.
He played in the Conference Premier, League Two and League One while at Bristol Rovers and then played for Charlton and Luton in the Championship before being promoted to the Premier League.
This week Luton released a statement regarding Lockyer and thanked Bournemouth’s medical staff and captain Philip Billing for their help.
![Lockyer collapsed in the second half against Bournemouth, with the game being abandoned](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/23/14/79064183-12896393-Luton_Town_s_Tom_Lockyer_collapsed_in_the_second_half_against_Bo-a-43_1703340687515.jpg)
Lockyer collapsed in the second half against Bournemouth, with the game being abandoned
![Luton manager Rob Edwards praised Lockyer ahead of the game against Newcastle](https://i.dailymail.co.uk/1s/2023/12/23/14/79284155-12896393-image-a-41_1703340117827.jpg)
Luton manager Rob Edwards praised Lockyer ahead of the game against Newcastle
It read: ‘We are thankful to report that our captain Tom Lockyer has now begun a period of rehabilitation from the comfort of his own home after he was discharged from hospital on Wednesday.
‘This encouraging news follows a successful procedure that took place on Tuesday whereby Tom had an ICD (Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator) device fitted to prevent a repeat of Saturday’s incident.
‘The Club, Tom and the Lockyer family would like to take this opportunity to repeat our collective heartfelt thanks to all at Bournemouth, their supporters, club officials and especially their medical staff and midfielder Philip Billing, who was the first to reach Tom on the pitch and summon assistance.
‘Supported by the actions of Bournemouth’s medical team and local paramedics, it was ultimately the protocols instilled and professional actions of our own medical staff that gave Tom this chance to recover and to whom we are thankful.’