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      Tom Lockyer, 29, returns to Luton training as Championship season starts having ‘died’ on pitch just eight months ago

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      TOM LOCKYER has returned to training eight months after he suffered a cardiac arrest.The Luton Town captain collapsed to the pitch during the Premier League clash against Bournemouth in December.Tom Lockyer has returned to training just eight months after suffering a cardiac arrestCredit: https://www.instagram.com/lutontown/He suffered a cardiac arrest against Bournemouth in DecemberCredit: RexLockyer, 29, admitted that he “literally died” after his heart stopped for two minutes and 40 seconds on the pitch.The defender also collapsed during the Championship play-off final against Coventry last May.For the past few months he has been undergoing rehab with heart specialists in Amsterdam with the aim of returning to action.Luton have now confirmed that Lockyer is back on the grass at the club’s training base.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLHe is currently undergoing an individual training plan and has been welcomed back by manager Rob Edwards and his team-mates.Lockyer is also continuing to work with the British Heart Foundation in spreading awareness of CPR and using a defibrillator. A club statement read: “We are so pleased to be able to inform our supporters and everyone around the world who has sent him their support that our captain, Tom Lockyer, has today returned to The Brache to start the next phase of his rehabilitation.”Tom has been under the guidance and care of leading consultants in London and Amsterdam, where he has been completing the most recent phase of his rehabilitation at a specialist clinic.Most read in FootballCASINO SPECIAL – BEST CASINO WELCOME OFFERS”For now, Tom will work individually back at The Brache, but his very presence around the training ground will be welcomed by all of his team-mates, manager Rob Edwards and the coaching staff.”Whilst continuing his rehab, Tom will continue his work with the British Heart Foundation in spreading the importance of knowing CPR and how to use a defibrillator, and he will now be focussing fully on his next stage of the rehabilitation.Tom Lockyer given hero’s welcome as he returns to Luton pitch for first time since cardiac arrest-“We ask that he is allowed to do this at his own pace, in private, to ultimately give himself the best chance of completing the next phases of his rehabilitation program.”Welcome back, Locks!”Lockyer saw Professor Sanjay Shah, a London-based cardiologist.He is the same man who helped Christian Eriksen return to action following his cardiac arrest during Denmark’s Euro 2020 opener in June 2021.Eriksen had an ICD fitted and spent nine months on the sidelines.He was unable to resume his career at Inter Milan as he could not get insured, so joined Brentford in January 2022 before moving to Manchester United that summer.READ MORE SUN STORIESMeanwhile, Luton have kicked off their Championship season as they search for a quick return to the Premier League.However, the Hatters were thumped 4-1 by Burnley at Kenilworth Road in Scott Parker’s first match as the Clarets boss.Who are these famous footballers? More

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      We had 5 hours of hell as Siena had life-saving op…but she’s fixed now. She’s our heart warrior, says Jack Wilshere

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      FORMER Arsenal and England star Jack Wilshere suffered “five hours of hell” as his five-year-old daughter Siena had life-saving cardiac surgery.And he said he had been “100 per cent” sure she would die during the operation to fix a hole in her heart in February.Retired football star Jack Wilshere suffered ‘five hours of hell’ as his five-year-old daughter Siena had life-saving cardiac surgery, pictured with wife Andriani, leftCredit: Eleven Miles.Siena had a rare kind of heart issue which required swift actionCredit: Eleven Miles.Jack, 32, also recalled how he and his wife Andriani spent 45 minutes crying as they were gripped by the fear of losing her.Only a month earlier, doctors had told the father-of-four that Siena — his second-youngest child — had the heart condition.While it can be fatal, it often does not need surgery — but Siena had a rare kind which required swift action.Arsenal ace Jack, who played 34 times for his country, told The Sun how he lost almost a stone due to stress during the month between her diagnosis and the surgery.READ MORE FOOTBALL NEWSEven worse was the moment when Siena, now six, was given an anaesthetic just before the op began.He said: “When I took Siena down to the surgery I had to drag my wife out of the anaesthetic room and we went to a room upstairs and we were just crying, both of us, for about 45 minutes.Heart murmur“It was five hours from hell, waiting for the phone to ring. It was a blur.”Jack and Andriani have now become ambassadors for the British Heart ­Foundation, and he praises the charity’s work in helping to keep poorly children like their daughter alive.Most read in FootballHe also hopes to alert other parents to the signs of heart problems.In Siena’s case the early symptoms for a congenital heart defect, which means it was present from birth, were not ­obvious.Four Arsenal stars confronted Arsene Wenger after huge stars sold to bitter rivals, reveals Jack Wilshere Jack said: “She was probably a bit more out of breath than her friends when she was on a trampoline, and chest infections hung around for longer.”Medics thought it may be due to asthma, because Andriani had ­it as a child.But it took two years for the real cause to be discovered, during a family holiday in Cyprus, where many of Andriani’s relatives live.Jack said: “My kids got ill — nothing serious — ear infections. The doctor listened to her heart and said, ‘I don’t want to worry you, but I can hear a bit of a murmur in her heart’, and said, ‘You should get it checked when you get back to the UK’.“That doctor saved my daughter’s life.”A cardiologist carried out a series of tests on Siena, and days later, rang Jack, who coaches Arsenal’s under-18s, just as he was about to go away with his squad.He recalled: “At the time I found out I was with my assistant.“I was at the training ground and I virtually broke down in his arms when I told him. All my staff were brilliant.”The hole in Siena’s heart was so serious that surgery was arranged for just a month later.Tests had revealed the gap in the muscle wall between the lower ­chambers of her heart meant it had to work much harder, which is why she was so out of breath.A tearful Andriani, 33, said: “I remember just falling to the floor and crying, I just couldn’t believe the news. It was shocking.”Siena after the life-saving February operationCredit: BBC SportOnly 40 per cent of people born with a heart defect need heart surgery.Often the issues are spotted while the child is in the womb.But the worst cases carry the chance of sudden death, and it is necessary to carry out the operations while patients are still young.Siena had a rare condition in which, Jack said, her veins had rerouted because they were leaking into her lungs.The wait for the day when she would be “fixed” was almost impossible for the doting dad to bear.And there was also the fear of his daughter undergoing a precarious operation.He said: “I remember the date she got diagnosed — the 27th of January — and she eventually had the surgery on the 27th of February, and that whole month I lost six kilos.Bag of nerves“I can’t even remember it, it was so stressful, because obviously there were risks involved in the surgery.”There was a one per cent chance she wouldn’t wake up.”His wife was equally anxious.Andriani said: “The night before, we were a bag of nerves. I remember having this feeling in the pit of my stomach.”A team of medics had to close the defect in Siena’s heart, which could have caused sudden death.She had surgery on Monday and we were back home on Friday. She was laughing, she’s really bubbly, she loves lifeJack WilshireAfter crying with his wife, Jack went for a coffee with his parents and took a walk around the block.Thankfully, they got the message that Siena had pulled through.Andriani recalled: “When we went down to the intensive care unit, it was all such a blur.“I heard Siena cry and it was then that I knew she was going to be OK.”Jack is in awe of the way his brave daughter had dealt with the terrible ordeal.He said: “I have been through surgery. I had a lot of injuries as a player, and it took me ages to recover.“She had the surgery on the Monday and we were back at home on the Friday and she was laughing.“She’s really bubbly, she loves life. It’s great to have her fixed.”And he added: “We call her our heart warrior. The bravery and strength she’s shown has been incredible.”Three months on, it seems that Siena is making a good recovery.Jack said: “The surgery has made all the difference and she has so much energy now.”Up against itThe breathlessness and coughing fits have relented.The couple are far from alone, because every day 13 babies in Britain are diagnosed with congenital heart disease.It was the British Heart Foundation which helped Jack and Andriani to understand what they were up against.Andriani said: “We didn’t know anything about congenital heart conditions and never thought our daughter would ever require open- heart surgery.“Turning to the BHF made us feel less alone and gave us the answers and support we needed.”The charity has been funding research into heart conditions for more than 60 years and put £99million into the field during 2022-2023.Wilshere and partner Andriani have become ambassadors for the British Heart FoundationCredit: BBC SportProud dad Jack says: ‘We call her our heart warrior’Credit: Eleven Miles.Jack said: “We’re supporting the British Heart Foundation because without life-saving research keeping children’s hearts beating, we might not have Siena here with us today.”It is not the first time the star has faced a health crisis with one of his children.His eldest son, Archie, 12, from his relationship with Lauren Neal, often had to be rushed to hospital in the middle of the night, suffering from seizures.Under controlJack, who also has daughter ­Delilah, ten, with Lauren and a four-year-old son, Jack Junior with Andriani, said in 2019: “My wife and I would sit up most nights because most of the seizures were happening at night.”Fortunately, doctors got the ­condition under control.Now Jack’s aim as a British Heart Foundation ambassador is to raise awareness of the charity’s important work and to encourage people to have any problems or concerns properly assessed.Many adults don’t even know they have a hole in the heart.Jack said: “There are people ­suffering cardiac arrests who have gone undiagnosed.”And he added: “You know your child better than anyone. If you think something isn’t quite right, don’t take no for an answer.READ MORE SUN STORIES“It is the most common defect you can be born with.”
      To donate £5 please text FIVE to 70507 and help British Heart Foundation fund more life-saving research.
      Jack played 34 times for EnglandCredit: Getty More

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      Football icon Diego Maradona’s death is linked to cocaine, a bombshell medical report claims

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      FOOTBALL great Diego Maradona’s death is linked to cocaine, a medical report suggests.The World Cup winner’s fatal heart attack in November 2020 came on suddenly and may have been brought on by a “toxic substance”, it says.Diego Maradona’s death is linked to cocaine, a medical report suggests.Credit: ReutersThe troubled genius in action for Argentina in 1994Credit: Getty Images – GettyMaradona, who was recovering from a brain op, had a long-standing cocaine addiction.It casts new light on the criminal case against eight doctors and nurses about to go on trial over how they cared for Maradona in his final hours.They are accused of leaving the 60-year-old in agony for hours as his condition worsened.The eight, who include his psychiatrist Agustina Cosachov, face 25 years in jail if convicted.READ MORE ON MARADONAMr Cosachov’s lawyer said: “There could have been two causes: one natural and the other, a product of the ingestion of a toxic substance.”Maradona died aged 60 on November 25, 2020, at a rented property near Buenos Aires following brain surgery two weeks earlier.The death of Argentina’s greatest ever player stunned the country.Within days of the legend’s death his family and legions of fans were demanding answers.Most read in FootballCops raided his doctors’ homes and offices and a panel of 20 medical experts was appointed to investigate his death.More than 200 witnesses will give evidence at the trial in Buenos Aires which is expected to last several months.Fans come out to say good bye to football legend Maradona as he is laid to rest at Bella Vista cemetery More

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      Ex-Chelsea wonderkid has defibrillator fitted after doctors warned he could have a heart attack at any time

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      Ex-Chelsea starlet Xavier Mbuyamba has had a defibrillator fitted – after doctors told the 22-year-old he could have a heart attack at any time.The Blues signed the Dutch defender from Barcelona in 2020, and he played four times for their Under-23 side after a knee operation.Xavier Mbuyamba has had a defibrillator fitted after doctors warned he could have had a heart attackCredit: GettyMbuyamba left Chelsea in 2022 for Dutch side VolendamCredit: PAMbuyamba joined Volendam in 2022, and shone as the newly-promoted minnows survived in Holland’s Eredivisie.He has however made just five appearances this season, and has not figured since January.The centre-back has now undergone surgery after tests found he had an irregular heartbeat.Manchester United star Christian Eriksen was fitted with a defibrillator after collapsing on the pitch during a Denmark game in 2021.READ MORE IN FOOTBALLMbuyamba revealed: “After a long spell of silence I can now say why I have been away.”During my annual check-up I found out that I had a disturbed heart rhythm. This came as a big surprise, as I hadn’t noticed any change in my health.”After this discovery I had a string of extensive medical tests. This is why I have played so seldom this season.”The doctors, FC Volendam and I decided that I would have a S-ICD defibrillator implanted as primary prevention.Most read in Football”The first stage of my rest and recovery is now over, and I have begun training on my own.”I’ll work on making my return for Volendam, and rest assured I’ll be back in the team this season.Who could be Chelsea’s next manager after Pochettino?”How did I feel? Of course I had concerns at first about my health.”But I always felt this would not pose a problem or hinder my football career. I am a winner, and a fighter!”Mbuyamba first made his name for his hometown club MVV Maastricht’s youth side, attracting attention from Chelsea, Liverpool, Bayern Munich and Real Madrid.His initial move to Stamford Bridge broke down over Chelsea’s then transfer ban, and he joined Barcelona before signing a three-year Blues deal in 2020. More

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      Mo Salah’s former team-mate collapses on pitch after ‘heart stopped for more than an hour’ as match is suspended

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      EGYPTIAN football star Ahmed Refaat is in hospital after suffering an apparent cardiac arrest on the pitch.The forward collapsed with two minutes remaining of Modern Future FC’s Egyptian Premier League clash with Ittihad on Monday night.Ahmed Refaat collapsed in Modern Future FC’s clash with Ittihad on Monday nightCredit: X@ISHAQCHEBLIThe forward’s heart stopped for an hourCredit: X@ISHAQCHEBLIThe match was immediately suspended after the severity of Refaat’s condition became clear and he was promptly taken to the hospital.Reefat’s heart stopped for an hour but he’s miraculously managed to survive the ordeal.And the 30-year-old – a former team-mate of Liverpool hitman Mohamed Salah- is currently being monitored in intensive care.A club statement read: “Ahmed Refaat’s heart stopped for more than an hour, despite all resuscitation attempts by the medical staff at Zamzam Hospital near the stadium before his heart rate improved gradually.READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”However, his condition is still medically unstable, which prevents his transfer.”Unless his health condition stabilises, the player will continue to receive treatment and undergo the necessary tests.”The club are following the situation on a momentary basis from the hospital.”And everyone will be updated immediately.Most read in FootballAhmed Refaat is a former team-mate of Liverpool and Egypt international Mo SalahCredit: AFP”We would like to call on the media to respect the player’s personal life as well as his health and ask the Egyptian football fans to pray for Ahmed Refaat to be safe and sound as soon as possible.”Footage of Refaat’s collapse went viral on social media, prompting a slew of well wishes for the Egypt international.Raging Mo Salah in rare outburst as he butts head with World Cup rival as fans say ‘something crazy must have been said’One footie fan wrote on X: “Wishing him a full and speedy recovery.”Another said: “Stay Strong Ahmed Refaat.”One remarked: ” Praying for a full recovery and Prayers to his loved ones, in what has to be a difficult time to start this blessed month.”Another chimed in: “Praying for the health and safety of Future FC winger Ahmed Refaat.”Reefat has seven appearances for Egypt to his name, in which he’s scored two goals and provided one solitary assist. More

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      Tom Lockyer reveals warning signs in two Premier League games before Luton captain suffered cardiac arrest on pitch

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      TOM LOCKYER revealed he had warning signs of lightheadedness in two Premier League games before his cardiac arrest.The Luton skipper, 29, was “technically dead” for two minutes and 40 seconds only for medics to resuscitate him during the abandoned clash at Bournemouth on December 16.Tom Lockyer has revealed he had two warning signs of lightheadedness before his cardiac arrestCredit: ReutersBut Lockyer, who had an atrial fibrillation episode in last May’s Championship play-off final win over Coventry, says he had a heart device fitted in the weeks leading up to his latest collapse.Lockyer, who suffered the life-threatening condition of ventricular fibrillation, said: “There were a couple of games before when I went lightheaded. I thought, ‘This is a weird feeling’.”The physios said to get a loop recorder – a little device like a USB stick sitting under your chest – and it showed them constantly what the heart was doing. The physios couldn’t be sure either way what was going on.”We had been given the all-clear from the specialists so there was no reason for concern. But the physios said, ‘Let’s be double safe on this one.’READ MORE IN FOOTBALL”But nothing was showing up on the device even though I went lightheaded a few times.”When it happened at Bournemouth, as soon as I went lightheaded I thought, ‘I’ll be fine in a second’ because that’s what had happened before.”I walked up to the halfway line, the keeper kicked the ball, I started jogging up and I went incredibly lightheaded again. It’s the last thing I remember.”Lockyer hailed the heroes who saved him: Luton’s club doctor Dr Amos Ogunkoya, Hatters physios Chris Phillips and Simon Parsell, Dr Craig Roberts, local GP Dr Mufeed Ni’man, paramedic Phil Ballett and Cherries’ Philip Billing.Most read in FootballAnd he plans to thank every single one of them in person when the Prem match is replayed at the Vitality Stadium next Wednesday.Lockyer, who has watched the scary incident back, added: “Our physio has got a wide angle. I said straight away, ‘Let’s have a look and see what actually happened.’Tom Lockyer given hero’s welcome as he returns to Luton pitch for first time since cardiac arrest-“There’s a numbness to it all. It’s like a movie when a big bomb goes off and you wake up on the floor, disorientated.”The first responders were the Luton physio and doc. I gave our doc a little bit of stick because he got smoked by the physio. He says he’s the fastest at the club but the images say otherwise.”They said I was a bit respondent, groaning but then I flatlined and that’s when the doc flipped me over, the defib pads went on and it showed the heart rate. “Our doc recognised it was VF, the paramedics confirmed it and they shocked me.“I’ve been in contact with the Luton medics and sent messages out to everyone else.”When we go to the Bournemouth replay I’m hoping to go and see them in person and shake their hands to say thank you.“I feel sorry for everyone who had to witness that. The eeriness and quietness of the stadium and the question of, ‘Is he alive?’ I know there were players praying. It will be nice to go back and thank them.”Lockyer underwent surgery to have an implantable cardioverter defibrillator fitted in his side following his second collapse. But he might never play professional football again.The Wales centre-back added: “Hearts are not like pulling a hamstring where someone looks at a scan and goes, ‘You’ve pulled it’. With hearts it can be so minute. It’s such a complex and specialist case.”There’s a lot of top cardiologists having a look at the case and it’s still ongoing. It’s too early to say if I can get back to football. I will be led by the specialist’s advice but the dream is still to play.”If it happens again then it’s on the medics. If there is any sliver of doubt I don’t think they will allow me to play. If there is a chance to play again I would love to. It’s out of my hands.”Lockyer cannot even train at the moment but he has his hands full after becoming a dad with his partner Taylor to a baby girl.He told Gary Lineker’s podcast The Rest is Football: “Not being able to train has been the hardest thing. “I got shocked back to life on the pitch and the medics have told me, ‘You can’t do anything until we get to the bottom of this’.”I feel fine and normal so it’s hard. I really want to go and exercise and keep fit but I’m not allowed. I’ve been playing golf and I went out on an electric bike. “I went round the corner to try it out and my old man (Steve) said the second I left the corner he s*** himself. I’ve had my device fitted so I’m probably safer than ever.READ MORE SUN STORIES”Having a family is something I’ve never had to factor in before. I’ve always been selfish with football decisions. “But this little girl came along and has changed my world. It has given me a completely different perspective on everything.” More

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      I died for two minutes on pitch, says Tom Lockyer as he opens up for first time about terrifying cardiac arrest

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      TOM LOCKYER revealed his heart stopped for two minutes and forty seconds after he suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch back in December.The Luton captain, 29, collapsed during the Hatters’ clash with Bournemouth at the Vitality Stadium – just seven months after he suffered a similar incident during the Championship play-off final.
      Tom Lockyer joined Sky Sports’ broadcast at Kenilworth Road and issued an update on his healthCredit: Sky Sports

      The Luton captain suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch during Luton’s clash with Bournemouth in DecemberCredit: Rex
      Lockyer was discharged from hospital after four daysCredit: FACEBOOK/UNPIXS
      He was discharged from hospital four days later and is now continuing his recovery.
      It is unclear whether he will resume his playing career, but he did return to Kenilworth Road last month and received a hero’s welcome from the fans ahead of their 4-0 win over Brighton.
      He also recently went to visit his team-mates at the training ground in a touching moment for everyone at the club.
      Then on Sunday he was a part of Sky Sports’ coverage for Luton’s clash with Manchester United where he was asked about his health.
      READ MORE IN FOOTBALL
      He said: “I’m doing well, I really am. Obviously I’m incredibly lucky to be stood here and be in such good spirits but I am really well.”
      Lockyer, who also admitted it has been a “tough couple of months” then went on to describe the events that unfolded at Bournemouth in more detail.
      He added: “It was just a normal day and that’s probably the most worrying thing about it is I felt completely fine.
      “So I’ve been looking for answers, searching for answers, but as far as I was aware it was just another normal day at the office. It was all going well until what happened happened.”
      Most read in Football
      Lockyer says he remembers feeling “light-hearted” when running up towards the halfway line, before he then woke up with paramedics around him.
      He insists the incident felt different from the “dream” he woke up from after collapsing at Wembley, describing the instant feeling at Bournemouth as more of a “nothingness”.
      Tom Lockyer given hero’s welcome as he returns to Luton pitch for first time since cardiac arrest-
      He continued: “There was a little more panic around [than at Wembley]. I was a bit disorientated. I couldn’t speak, I couldn’t move, and I was just trying to take in what was happening.
      “While that was going on I remember thinking ‘I could be dying here’. It’s quite a surreal thought to have.”
      Lockyer’s condition eventually improved and he describes it as a “relief” that he was alive, adding it was “fortunate” that it happened on the pitch where medical attention was close by.
      He then went on to confirm that a recording device placed under his chest after the episode at Wembley revealed his heart stopped for “two minutes and forty seconds” at the Vitality Stadium.
      Lockyer also thanked the medical staff who “without a doubt” saved his life as he insisted he will be “forever grateful” to them for what they did.
      His girlfriend and father were both at the game, while his mum and brother learnt the news of his collapse on the radio.
      That is the part of it which Lockyer describes as the “hardest thing to deal with”.
      He has spoken to players who have had similar incidents – including Man Utd man Christian Eriksen who collapsed at the Euros but has since resumed his playing career.
      READ MORE SUN STORIES
      However, Lockyer is adamant he will “take his time” before making a decision.
      He is also aware it is somewhat “out of my hands” as he will be dictated to by the advice from the medical staff.
      He recently returned to Luton’s training ground to reunite with his team-matesCredit: @LutonTown More

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      Luton to review medical protocol after Tom Lockyer collapsed following cardiac arrest vs Bournemouth

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      LUTON TOWN will review their medical protocol after Tom Lockyer collapsed on the pitch at Bournemouth.Saturday’s Premier League match between Luton and the Cherries was stopped and abandoned in the 59th minute at 1-1 as medics tended to Lockyer, who suffered a cardiac arrest off the ball.
      Luton Town captain Tom Lockyer collapsed at BournemouthCredit: Rex
      Luton will review their medical protocol after Lockyer suffered cardiac arrestCredit: Reuters
      The Hatters recently confirmed their captain remains in hospital where he is undergoing tests as well as scans and is in a stable condition.
      This was the second time in seven months that the centre-back collapses during a match.
      The same happened in May during the Championship play-off final against Coventry when the 29-year-old was taken to hospital before Rob Edwards’ stars earned Premier League promotion
      The Wales international was later diagnosed with an atrial fibrillation, a condition that causes an irregular and often fast heartbeat.
      Read More on Football
      Lockyer was then given the all-clear to return to football in June after undergoing an operation.
      According to The Mail, however, this time round Luton will review that decision once medical experts have further information on the cause behind the incident at the Vitality Stadium.
      A source close to the Luton player told the publication: “This will be something we all look into more now.
      “The physios, the club doctor, the specialists all did their work and worked with him in the summer and he was OK.
      Most read in Football
      “It’s just getting through this one test at a time. Comparing it to the summer will be something that happens when we know what went on on Saturday.”
      The Premier League rules state players must undergo annual cardiac testing, with any further cardiac investigations or follow-ups performed as advised by an expert’s opinion.
      The same report claims it is unclear if Lockyer underwent further testing since receiving heart surgery. More