- Bournemouth goalkeeper Neto described the moment Tom Lockyer collapsed
- The Luton captain recently suffered cardiac arrest at the Vitality Stadium
- Chris Sutton says Jurgen Klopp is right to call out his own fans – It all starts
Bournemouth captain and goalkeeper Neto has explained what it was like for players and coaching staff at the Vitality Stadium when visiting Luton player Tom Locker collapsed on the pitch.
Lockyer suffered his second on-field cardiac arrest in his career during the recently abandoned Premier League match between the Cherries and Luton on December 16.
The Hatters captain fell off the ball and medics rushed onto the pitch as the match was stopped while he was treated before being taken to hospital.
It was the second time in his career that Lockyer had suffered cardiac arrest – a life-threatening condition where the heart stops working – and his first scare came in last season's Championship play-off final against Coventry at Wembley.
The match was eventually abandoned after players and coaching staff agreed to reschedule the game, with Lockyer released from hospital on Thursday.
Bournemouth goalkeeper and captain Neto (No.1) described the 'tough moment' after seeing Luton's Tom Lockyer collapse
Lockyer collapsed on the Vitality Stadium pitch after suffering cardiac arrest
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The scenes at the Vitality Stadium on that day were difficult for everyone at the ground and Neto has explained that the image of Lockyer collapsing is still replaying in his head.
“Thank God he's fine and he's with his family,” the Brazilian shot-stopper said.
'We have to keep moving, but after you close your eyes, that image can come back.
“It was a very scary, very tough moment and anyone on the field can put themselves in that situation,” he added.
'You think, “Oh my God, this could happen to anyone here” – of course we try to do checks, but it can happen.
'It was a very bad feeling, but thank God he is fine and alive, that's the most important thing. It is difficult. I have suffered losses in my life and we can understand that the world does not stop for that,” Neto said.
Bournemouth manager Andoni Iraola also offered encouraging words for Lockyer, who could likely retire from professional football as a player.
“I think we feel more relieved now, you know, that we have some good news about Tom,” he said.
Lockyer has now been released from hospital and is continuing his recovery at home
Neto admitted it was a 'very scary' moment for everyone at the Vitality Stadium that day
Cherry manager Andoni Iraola praised the way everyone responded to the horrific accident
'Some of our players know Tom better than the others, as well as their families, so it has probably been more difficult for them, but now we have to keep going and we hope the best for Tom for his recovery.
'It is clear that there were difficult moments last week. Everyone responded very well, the supporters and of course the medical staff were great.
'I think it was also the logical decision not to continue the match. When something like this happens, you forget the game, the football, everything.
“Now that we have heard the good news, maybe things will be easier and we should refocus and start thinking about the next game against Forest,” Iraola added.