Rob Edwards pays an emotional tribute to Luton Town captain Lockyer after his cardiac arrest – with ‘inspirational leader’ now out of hospital having had defibrillator fitted

It was a week of raw emotion in Luton Town. A terrible, stressful week, but ultimately a happy week.

From the horror of Tom Lockyer's cardiac arrest on Bournemouth's pitch and the relief of his quick resuscitation and return home to the immense depth of gratitude for those who helped save his life and those who showed they could do something. care.

It was a whirl, but a hint of normality descended on the training base and some of those feelings began to crystallize when boss Rob Edwards spoke about it publicly for the first time.

“We have to celebrate Tom being here with us and the great work that everyone has done,” Edwards said ahead of Saturday's Premier League match against Newcastle United.

'He's an incredible man. A brilliant footballer who put himself through the leagues to become a Premier League footballer. He is a leader and an inspirational figure.

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“He is one of the most important players this club has ever had and his name will be sung by our supporters for a long time to come.

“We talked about that and what he means to us. We want to shape that as a team. If we can all act, behave and play like Tom, then we are on the right track.”

Edwards made sure to compliment others, particularly the medical teams from both clubs and paramedics who resuscitated Lockyer within two minutes. “They saved him,” he said.

Also a compliment to the family of his captain for the way they dealt with the trauma. About Lockyer's pregnant partner Taylor, who was at the Vitality Stadium to watch the match.

“They were courageous and supportive,” Edwards said. “Tom's dad Steve was incredible. Incredible people, it must have been so scary for them.'

There were also special mentions for Bournemouth's Philip Billing, who was first on the scene and called for urgent help, and David Brooks, a teammate and close friend from Wales who went to hospital to comfort Lockyer's family. And for all the fans present. “We will have a special relationship with that football club in the future,” he said.

Amid an outpouring of support came daily messages from Steve Cooper, even though he was sacked by Nottingham Forest.

When Edwards reached Lockyer in hospital on Saturday evening, he found him flat, hooked up to monitors, but 'chatting, smiling and quite jovial' and in good hands. “It was nice to give him a hug and a kiss and chat a little bit,” he said.

Lockyer sent messages to reassure his teammates, joking that he would do anything to get out of the Christmas party, which was planned after the Bournemouth match.

Edwards gave his players time off as planned. They met again on Tuesday for a light workout.

The Luton boss called another meeting on Friday to tell his players that Lockyer was back home after surgery to fit a defibrillator and that they were turning their thoughts to Newcastle.

They discussed Lockyer, what he meant to them and how to harness the emotion on Kenilworth Road without getting carried away by it. Centre-forward Carlton Morris made plans to visit his mate.

“It's baby steps now, I don't want to keep picking at his head,” Edwards said.

'He is tired and has clearly been through a lot. He now has to recover alone at home. All I care about is his health.”