Luton Town's Tom Lockyer to leave hospital after play-off final collapse
After being given the all-clear, Lockyer is expected to take part in Luton Town FC's pre-season training. Wales have also got big plans for the international and will hope he returns for the Euro qualifiers in September.
Thursday 1 June 2023 14:25, UK
Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer will leave hospital today after he collapsed at the start of his club's historic play-off final on Saturday.
The football club's victory over Coventry City on penalties meant they were promoted to the Premier League for the first time in their history.
The Wales international, 28, has been undergoing tests at the Cavendish Clinic in London since he collapsed in the early stages of the match.
Lockyer celebrated his club's shoot-out win at the weekend from his hospital bed with his family by his side.
Luton Town FC said in a statement that he had been a "frustrated patient" ever since but had completed the checks required to be allowed home "for a period of rest".
The club also confirmed that the defender would be fit to take part in pre-season training.
It has thanked everyone who has shared messages of support for their captain after a "season to remember".
In a Twitter post on Wednesday, the club confirmed Lockyer would be allowed home today and added: "We would like to thank everyone for their messages of love and support for Locks and can't wait to see him back home at the Kenny with that trophy in his hands!"
Lockyer also posted a heartfelt thank you to medical staff at the weekend and to Wembley for "the swift and thorough response".
Hope for Wales return
Wales manager Rob Page said on Tuesday at a news conference announcing his 25-man squad for the June Euro qualifiers that Lockyer would have "absolutely" been part of his plans for the national side but for the collapse.
Page said he had a 20-minute call with Lockyer on Tuesday.
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"He was grateful for the conversation," he told reporters at the Urdd Eisteddfod youth festival in Carmarthenshire.
"It was never in question, you're always going to phone your players and show them support and that's what it was, it was just to say we're here for him in any capacity.
"He was okay, he was pleased with the season he's had and rightly so.
"It's an incredible story and for that football club to be promoted to the premiership in the manner in which they have done is incredible and he was a massive part of that. I've seen some of the goals he scored, some of the set pieces.
"Of course, it's Tom Lockyer so I can see why he'd be climbing the walls and wanting to discharge himself."
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Now that Lockyer has been given the all-clear for Luton's pre-season training, Wales will be hoping he will join them for their next set of qualifiers in September.
"For us, it's just about getting him fit and well and ready for our camp then in September," Page added.