BOURNEMOUTH captain Neto has confessed he will never forget the image of stricken Tom Lockyer fighting for his life on the pitch.
The Brazilian goalkeeper described the incident as a “very scary, very heavy” moment after the Luton captain suffered a cardiac arrest and collapsed onto the grass.
ReutersBournemouth skipper Neto was deeply affected by Tom Lockyer’s cardiac arrest[/caption]
GettyLockyer had been in action against the Cherries[/caption]
Quick medical attention saved the Hatters skipper, with players, management and club officials in tears after the game was abandoned.
Yesterday Luton announced the good news that Lockyer had been discharged from hospital after surgery.
The player has had an Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD) fitted which is a small device that will kick-start the heart to beat should it ever stop again.
And a relieved Neto, 34, said: “Thank God he is okay and with his family.
“We have to keep moving, but after you close your eyes, that image can come back.
“It was a very scary, very heavy moment and everybody on the pitch can put themselves in that situation.
“You think, ‘Oh my God, this can happen to anybody here’ – of course, we try to do checks, but it can happen.
“It was a very bad feeling but thank God he is okay and he is alive, that is the most important thing.
“It’s difficult. I’ve had loss in my life and we can understand the world does not stop for it.”
Cherries head coach Andoni Iraola said: “I think we feel now more relieved, you know, that we have good news about Tom.
“Some of our players know Tom better than the others as well as their families so it’s probably been more difficult for them but now we need to keep going and we hope the best for Tom for his recovery.
“Obviously, there were tough moments last week. Everyone reacted very well, the supporters, obviously the medical staff were amazing.
“I think it was the logical decision also not to continue the game.
“When something like this happens, you forget about the game, about football, about everything.
“Now after hearing the good news, it’s may be easier and we need to put our focus again and start thinking about the next game against Forest.”