Rob Edwards has called on Luton fans to turn the Newcastle game into a celebration that Tom Lockyer is “well and recovering” after suffering a cardiac arrest.
The Hatters captain collapsed on the pitch at Bournemouth on Saturday, but was saved within two minutes by the medical staff of both clubs and the paramedics at the Vitality Stadium.
After a spell in hospital where he was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) to prevent further heart attacks, Lockyer is now recovering at home, though his father Steve texted Edwards to say that the defender feels like he’s “had a fight with a bear”.
The football family has united in support of the Welsh international this week, which was started by Town and Bournemouth fans all chanting his name as he was stretchered off the pitch at the weekend.
Edwards believes Town will have a “special bond” with the Cherries now. At home to Newcastle this weekend, there are plans from Luton fans to mark the fourth minute – due to his shirt number – with applause for their skipper.
“It was a horrendous thing that happened,” Edwards said, adding; “We have to celebrate that Tom is here with us and the amazing work that everyone did on Saturday. That’s the most important thing.
“Emotionally charged is the right word to describe it. I hope that our fans turn out and bring the noise as they always do, and make it a really special occasion to celebrate Tom and the fact that he’s well and recovering. But to support the lads as well because it’s a really important game for us.”
Luton players and staff took a few days off after Saturday and returned to The Brache on Tuesday, where Sporting Chance – the mental and emotional health charity for professional athletes – were in attendance to offer support, should they need it.
Edwards said: “It’s been challenging, but the players have been incredibly strong and I think they’ve really stuck together. And if they could get any closer, or tighter, or the bond could be even stronger between them, maybe something as horrific as this can do that. I can’t speak highly of them enough this week and how they’ve been.
“They’ve been incredibly professional and really understanding of a difficult situation. They understand there’s a task and a focus and they’ll be ready for the game.”
He added: “My biggest concern this week has been not using it. We’ve got that across to the players as well. We do want to do it for Tom. We do. I do. The players do as well.
“This game has mattered to us anyway but it’s important, I think, for everyone, the supporters as well, they want to show their appreciation for a really important figure at this club.
“We do want to do it for him. It will be an emotionally charged day, but understanding there’s a focus to that as well, and a job to do.”
Nevertheless, yesterday in training, Edwards gave a talk to the Hatters squad to update them about Lockyer and he said: “I just spoke about Tom and what he means to us, to me.
“How he embodies this football club. What he is to this football club. I’ve got to say it now, if we really think about it, he’ll be one of the most important players this club has had.
“I know this club has had really good times in its history, but we’ve had some pretty tough times in recent years.
“He’s played a huge part, along with a lot of the lads that are here now, in massive success for this club. It’s only right.
“I know his name will be sung for a long, long time by our supporters.
“It’s right that I say that. He’s a really important man. We spoke about that and what he means to us and we want to embody that as a team.
“Going forward, if we can all act, behave, play like Tom Lockyer then we’ll be going the right way.”
With the centre half now on the long road to recovery, Edwards has the job of trying to fill the sizeable boots of Town’s talisman, starting with the visit of Newcastle.
“He’s a huge figure for us,” said the manager, adding: “He’s a brilliant football player and I talked about this yesterday with the boys, he’s someone who’s able to maximise his levels in every aspect, in every moment, all the time.
“He does it in training. He’s all action and he’s someone who’s been able to drag himself through the Football League to become a Premier League football player, and look like a Premier League player as well.
“That’s down to him. So, of course, anyone would miss him. He’s a leader, an inspirational figure for us, but what it gives now is opportunity for other people.
“We’ve got, in my mind, and I love our group of players, a brilliant squad, it gives someone else an opportunity to come in and show what they’re about. We’ve got real competition there.”
