Tom Lockyer putting family before football after cardiac arrest

Wales international footballer Tom Lockyer says he will put his family's considerations first before any decision on a possible comeback following his cardiac arrest.

The Luton Town defender, 29, collapsed on the pitch during a Premier League match against Bournemouth in December.

He said he was "technically dead" for two minutes and 40 seconds.

Lockyer was resuscitated by medics, but said the thought of what could have happened still haunted him.

"I'm super lucky because if this didn't happen on a football pitch, there's every chance I wouldn't be here," he said in an interview with BBC Breakfast.

"And the thought of that, leaving my girlfriend [who is pregnant] to raise a child on her own, is heartbreaking."

It was the second time Lockyer had experienced a problem with his heart, after collapsing in the Hatters' play-off final win against Coventry City at Wembley last May.

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After minor surgery he was able to play again and captained Luton in the top flight - including scoring his first Premier League goal - before the second incident on 16 December at Vitality Stadium.

"My girlfriend was at the game, and my dad," Lockyer recalled.

"She was looking at me when it happened, because the ball was elsewhere, and she'd seen me go down.

"She said instantly she knew that it was serious.

"Her friend, who she was with, said she let out a massive scream that would live with her forever."

Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch after having a cardiac arrest

He said he was "forever grateful" to the medical staff who were quickly on hand to save him.

"Without them people who were incredible under the pressure, I wouldn't be here today and I wouldn't be lucky enough to be waiting to welcome a little girl into the world," he said.

"I think that's why it's important that, although this has happened to me and it's a horrible thing to have to go through, the bigger picture is that I want more people to start learning CPR," he added.

Lockyer has now had an implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) fitted, designed to restart the heart instantly in case of a similar occurrence in the future.

"It took a while to get used to, because it's a lot bigger than I thought it would be," said Lockyer, showing the scar on his side where the device has been fitted.

"But it doesn't affect my golf swing, I'm still rubbish!"

Focus on the baby

His recovery has allowed him time to pursue other hobbies, including a 6,000-piece Lego set of Hogwarts castle.

"I'm a big Harry Potter fan, so I really enjoyed doing that one."

Lockyer has now had an ICD fitted which detects and stops irregular heartbeats

But although he makes no secret of his desire to return to the football pitch, he admits the decision may not ultimately be his to make.

"On the one hand I'm eternally grateful that, if I have to retire, I'm so lucky I've got to play in the Premier League, score in the Premier League, represent my country, all these incredible things," he said.

"And on the other hand I'm like: 'I'd love a bit more'.

"Obviously I wouldn't go against any medical advice, but it's far too early to say yet, and there's bigger things on the horizon now with the baby.

"I would have to speak to the family before I'd consider returning - my focus is on the baby now."

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