Lockyer 'literally died' for nearly three minutes during on-pitch collapse

Luton captain Tom Lockyer said he "literally died" after his heart stopped for two minutes and 40 seconds during his harrowing on-pitch cardiac arrest.

The 29-year-old, speaking at length for the first time since he collapsed in the 59th minute of the Hatters’ abandoned Premier League game against Bournemouth on December 16, admitted it is "out of his hands" if he will ever play again.

The Welshman, who also went down during the Championship play-off final against Coventry in May, was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator after he was hospitalised for five days.

He told Sky Sports: "It was just a normal day and that's the most worrying thing because I felt completely fine.

"I was running towards the halfway line and I went really light headed. I thought I'd be ok in a second but I wasn't.

"I woke up and the paramedics were there. I knew instantly it was different to my collapse in May. Last time it felt like I woke up from a dream and this time I woke up from nothingness.

"I could see there was more panic and I was a bit disorientated. I remember thinking: 'I could be dying here'.

"It was a surreal thought to have, not being able to respond, and you can see the panic going on.

"I literally died."

Lockyer continued: "Eventually I came round and I was able to respond. It was then a relief I was alive.

"I was out for two minutes and 40 seconds.

"It was hardest on my family having to watch that. My old man was there and my girlfriend was seven months pregnant at the time."

The defender hopes he will be able to return to top-flight football but will be subject to further tests.

He said: "It is out of my hands.

"I am going to be dictated to by the specialists. If there is a chance I could play again — and I am not going to do anything against medical advice — then I would love to.

"But it is too early to say."