‘Who knows where’ – Lockyer’s future uncertain

Tom Lockyer admits he does not know where he will be playing next season as his Luton Town contract expires in the summer.

The Wales defender has not featured for club or country since suffering a cardiac arrest during Luton’s Premier League fixture with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium on 16 December 2023.

The incident came just seven months after the centre back collapsed during the early stages of the Hatters ‘ Championship play-off final victory over Coventry City at Wembley.

After undergoing rigorous return-to-play protocols and regular health checks, Lockyer is now hoping to resume his playing career next season.

But the 30-year-old admits he is unsure of where he will return to playing football during the 2025-26 campaign.

“I’m out of contract]in the summer] at Luton, so who knows what’ll happen there. I’ll do my games, and if I get through then I’ll just see what happens.

” I’m not concerned either way. The way I see it, any moment I get to spend back on a football pitch I’m going to cherish so much, and I hope there’s plenty of them. “

Lockyer has worked closely with the cardiologist of Manchester United midfielder Christian Eriksen – who collapsed during Denmark’s Euro 2020 contest with Finland after suffering a cardiac arrest – in Amsterdam during his recovery.

But the Cardiff-born defender has required ankle surgery on two occasions in recent months which has prolonged his spell on the sidelines.

” It’s been a long six months, “he said.

” I had to do three more games for my heart rehab to get signed off to play again.

“I was due to do my first one of them back in early December and two days before that, in training, I cleared a ball”.

Lockyer, who played over 250 games for Rovers of Bristol at the start of his career, said as he landed he heard a “massive pop” in his ankle.

“That had snapped my deltoid ligament so they said I needed an operation, and that would be three months out”, he added.

“I got to two months after that operation and they said ‘ it hasn’t worked properly so you have to have it redone’. It has been another three months since I had it redone.

Lockyer says he is determined to stay active regardless of whether or not he will be able to play football professionally in the near future.

My entire life has been a sport, he said, “but I’m such an active guy regardless of whether I’m playing football.”

I wouldn’t be able to deal with the thought of living a life without sports because it just doesn’t work for me mentally.

“I’ll continue to be active.” Why can’t I play football on the field once more if I can, which is fine? I’ll be looking to do it as long as it can be done safely.

After admitting to his unwavering desire to continue playing football, the Welshman said he would not rule out a future in coaching.

The center back said, “I don’t know if I like the stress of being a manager, but I do like the idea of being a coach and working on the grass every day.”

“I believe I have a lot to offer,” she said. I believe I understand the game very well, especially defensively, and I believe I can impart that knowledge to others.