Lockyer returns to training after cardiac arrest

Tom Lockyer has been doing punditry work while recovering from his cardiac arrest

Former Luton Town captain and Wales defender Tom Lockyer is back in training as he bids to return to football following his cardiac arrest.

The 30-year-old is training at League Two side Bristol Rovers as he aims to prove his fitness after his heart issues and ankle surgery.

Lockyer has not played a competitive match for club or country since suffering the cardiac arrest during Luton Town's Premier League fixture at Bournemouth on 16 December 2023.

Lockyer had previously collapsed on the field seven months earlier - during the Hatters' Championship play-off final win against Coventry City at Wembley - and underwent heart surgery.

"I've always kept in touch with Tom - obviously he's had a busy summer with all his testing and getting fit after his ankle problem - and he's come in to do some training with us," Rovers boss Darrell Clarke, who manged Lockyer during his formative years at the Memorial Stadium, told BBC Radio Bristol.

"I'm delighted to have him around here, so are the boys.

"Tom is a player that obviously I had at a very, very young age. He became a captain and a player I have so much admiration for, not only as a player but as a lad as well.

"What he's been through and his family's been through, to come out the other end of it epitomises everything that I love about the lad - that resilience, that character, that determination and drive.

"He's had a great career and he wants to kick on that career."

As well as more than 400 appearances for Bristol Rovers, Luton and Charlton Athletic, Lockyer has won 16 caps for Wales.

At this stage Clarke, who managed Lockyer throughout his spell at Rovers between 2014 and 2018, says it is purely to help the defender return to fitness.

But he has not ruled out offering Lockyer a deal should the chance arise.

"We'll see how things develop with stuff but in the meantime he's coming in to do a bit of training," he said.

"It's been great having him around the place, he hasn't changed one one jot, he's a great lad and we'll see how things develop."

He added: "I managed some good players in my time here but I always thought Locks was going to be the one that made it potentially to the highest level.

"His work, his effort, his desire, his application to win every single day in training, in matches and winning at life.

"He's a lad that doesn't get beat and he epitomises everything that the fans love about this football club as well, so I'm sure they're pleased to know that he's doing a bit of training with us."