Luton defender Tom Lockyer says he’s “feeling very much myself” after spending the night in hospital following his collapse during Saturday’s Championship play-off final triumph over Coventry.
Lockyer was taken to hospital 10 minutes into the Wembley final and watched the rest of the game from his bed as the Hatters beat Coventry 6-5 on penalties to secure Premier League promotion.
His parents had been taken to see him in Wembley before the 28-year-old was taken for checks. And Lockyer issued a statement on his Instagram account last night.
“Well not quite where I thought I’d be celebrating at the final whistle!” he wrote, accompanied by a picture of him celebrating Luton’s promotion with friends and family.
“I would just like to say a massive thank you to the amazing physios and doctors at @ltfc_official and Wembley for the swift and thorough response. A much scarier moment for everyone else than myself I am sure!
“Commiserations to @coventrycityfcofficial a fantastic opponent over 3 games which had to be decided by penalties.
“I am currently in hospital under precaution and will stay here overnight for further tests in the morning. I am feeling very much myself, helped by the way the lads left it all out on pitch! It’s such an honour to be part of this team… Premier League baby.”
Lockyer fell to the floor just eight minutes into the final, and received treatment from medical staff before being taken off on a stretcher. Broadcasters Sky Sports did not show a replay of the incident, but pictures showed Lockyer receiving oxygen.
Luton’s Carlton Morris spoke to the ex-Bristol Rovers and Charlton centre-back on the phone as his teammates celebrated on the Wembley turf on Saturday. When asked whether the squad would pay Lockyer a visit, boss Rob Edwards said: “I’ve said to Carlton when we were out on the pitch that if we can then we will. Carlton was speaking to him on the phone.
“I don’t want to get in the way but if I’m allowed I’d love to go and see him. As a group we’re so tight but I’m not sure 40 odd people are allowed to go and see someone at hospital so we’ll have to check on that.
“I’m just so thankful he’s ok because that’s all that matters. That’s why I wasn’t really able to enjoy any of the celebrations at the end because all I cared about was Locks.”
Promotion means Luton are back in the top flight for the first time since 1992, when they were relegated on the eve of the Premier League era. None of the XI that started the final at Wembley were even born then.
Edwards added: “The staff were really good. They said that he’s ok and was speaking and everything else and we were able to calm everyone down.
“I made sure that the first thing I said was to back that up and then it was a case of focus and doing it for Locks. That was the message.”
Luton are due to hold a promotion parade at St George’s Square on Monday, although it is not known if Lockyer will be present for the celebrations.
The club have confirmed the bus will leave Kenilworth Road and arrive at St George’s Square around 12.15pm, with fans able to gather there from 10.30am.
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