Christian Eriksen has advised Luton Town’s Tom Lockyer to take all the time he needs to make the best decision regarding the future of his career, after the defender suffered a cardiac arrest on Saturday.
Luton captain Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during his team’s Premier League game against Bournemouth, which was suspended in the 65th minute and later abandoned.
Lockyer was responsive as he was carried off on a stretcher to applause from both sets of fans, and Luton said on Sunday the 29-year-old was undergoing further tests and scans in hospital.
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Lockyer also collapsed during the Hatters’ play-off final win against Coventry City in May and underwent heart surgery before getting the all-clear to return to the field.
Manchester United midfielder Eriksen also suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch in 2021, during Denmark’s game against Finland at the delayed Euro 2020.
Eriksen had a cardioverter-defibrillator device fitted and returned to action with Brentford the following year, joining United after enjoying a successful half-season with the Bees.
The 31-year-old said Lockyer should prioritise his return to general health before making any decisions about his career, telling BetFred: “I’ve read and seen what’s happened and I hope he’s okay, takes his time, is in a healthy way and has his family there to support him.
“I cross my fingers that he’s fine. My advice to him would be to make the best decision you can.
While our captain Tom Lockyer remains in hospital following the cardiac arrest he suffered on the pitch at Bournemouth yesterday, we understand that supporters are concerned for him and that there is widespread media interest in his condition.
Tom is still undergoing tests and… pic.twitter.com/yDTRzmEIVk
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) December 17, 2023
“If the doctors tell you to do something else then you’ve got to respect it and see what you can do.
“There’s nothing that’s going to hold you back, but in the end it all depends on how he’s feeling and what the doctors are saying.
“He has to make the decision with his family, but he should take his time and focus on himself.”
In Sunday’s statement, Luton asked for fans to respect Lockyer’s privacy during his recovery and pledged to offer further updates on his condition “when the time is right”.
