Returning Lockyer 'ready to go', says Clarke

Tom Lockyer has not played a competitive match since December 2023 when he suffered a cardiac arrest

New Bristol Rovers signing Tom Lockyer is "ready to go" and in contention for Saturday's match away to Crawley, said head coach Darrell Clarke.

The Wales defender has not played a competitive match since December 2023 after suffering a cardiac arrest during Luton's Premier League game against Bournemouth.

He had been training with his former side for a number of weeks before signing a deal on Thursday to return, having left the Hatters this summer when his contract expired.

"He's ready to go, no doubt about that seeing him in the last two weeks," Clarke told BBC Radio Bristol.

"He's played minutes at Luton as well, games behind closed doors, he's in good condition."

Lockyer also collapsed on the pitch during the Championship play-off final in May 2023 as Luton won promotion to the Premier League and returned to action before suffering the cardiac arrest.

His football return was hampered further by needing two ankle surgeries in the past 12 months.

The 30-year-old made more than 280 appearances for Rovers, having come through their academy, and was named captain by Clarke when the pair worked together during his first stint in the dugout.

Clarke, who has been in touch with Lockyer since the summer, said he is "hungry" to prove he is back.

"I can guarantee now if he's selected Saturday his focus will be all about winning the game because that's what he does," Clarke said.

"He's really hungry, ambitious, to prove something - I think he wants to prove to himself and prove to everyone else he's back and ready to go."

Rovers travel to Sussex having lost their past three matches to leave them 16th in League Two, after being relegated in May.

Clarke, who returned for a second stint in the dugout over the close season, said the signing of Lockyer was proof of the club's ambition.

"I've not shied away from the work that needs doing from a ship that sank," he said.

"You have your eye on the short term but also the medium and long term and getting someone in like Lockyer, Alfie Kilgour, Ellis Harrison - players that know the club, know the fanbase, know what is expected - is going to drive the culture that I want in this building."