The highly-anticipated match between Coventry City and Luton Town to determine the last team that will be promoted to the Premier League for the 2023-24 season started with a complicated situation, as Luton Town's captain Tom Lockyer was subbed off before the 15-minute mark due to what seemed as an injury.
Further reports on this issue went deeper on the circumstances that forced Lockyer out of the pitch, hinting that a medical problem was behind the captain's exit from the match.
The footage of this incident shows Lockyer running back to defend his goal after a clearance, when all of a sudden he collapsed to the ground prompting the team's staff to run into the pitch.
The only information provided by Luton Town came when he came off the pitch with no details on why he was being carried out.
We forced into an early change, get well soon Locks.
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) May 27, 2023
Lockyer
@ReeceBurke
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Later reports by Sky Sports suggest that the footballer was having medical assistance and that his family was close to him at Wembley's medical unit. Moments later, Lockyer was reportedly taken to the hospital to determine what caused this medical problem. TalkSport added to that report later on.
Luton captain Tom Lockyer is now on the way to hospital#LTFC #PUSB
— talkSPORT (@talkSPORT) May 27, 2023
When the second half began, the team issued an update on the footballer, confirming reports about him being taken care off at a nearby hospital.
We are able to report that after collapsing on the pitch, Tom Lockyer has been taken to hospital for further tests.
— Luton Town FC (@LutonTown) May 27, 2023
He is responsive and talking to his family, who are with him.
We are all with you, Locks #COYH