Clash between Sheffield United's relegation rivals abandoned as Tom Lockyer collapses in Luton v Bournemouth

The Premier League clash between two of Sheffield United's relegation rivals was abandoned this afternoon after Luton Town's Tom Lockyer collapsed on the field during their clash with AFC Bournemouth. Lockyer was attended to by paramedics and staff in the second half, when the score was 1-1 with the clock paused at 65 minutes.

The defender was taken off on a stretcher surrounded by the medical team, and there was a standing ovation from the crowd. After the players were taken off, the Premier League confirmed the match had been abandoned - with Luton later confirming that the defender had suffered cardiac arrest.

A statement from Luton read: "We all hope and pray for our leader and captain Tom Lockyer, who is thankfully responsive and has been taken to hospital. We don’t know the full extent of what happened and what the next steps are at this stage, but we thank Bournemouth and the medical staff on both sides for their immediate response, which was absolutely amazing. "We are sorry to all supporters present that players from both sides were in no state of mind to continue with the game after seeing their much-loved team-mate and friend taken off like that, and staff could not carry on with managing the game in such circumstances having had to deal with the situation.

"We thank everyone for the wonderful applause and singing of Locks’ name inside the stadium at such a difficult time. Now is the time for all of our players, staff and supporters to come together as we always do and give our love and support to Tom and his family. Our thoughts are with him and them all."

Wales defender Lockyer had surgery to correct an atrial fibrillation in June after collapsing during Luton's Championship play-off final win against Coventry. The Hatters captain returned to action for the start of the new season and had made 15 appearance so far in all competitions before Saturday's match.