Tom Lockyer the latest in a worrying trend of athletes suffering cardiac-related illness

Luton captain Tom Lockyer suffered a cardiac arrest that forced the abandonment of his team's Premier League match at Bournemouth on Saturday.

Luton's game on England's south coast was halted midway through the second half with the score at 1-1 as defender Lockyer received medical treatment before he was carried off to applause.

The Premier League confirmed the match had been abandoned and Luton later said the Wales international was in a stable condition in hospital.

"Our medical staff have confirmed that the Hatters captain suffered a cardiac arrest on the pitch, but was responsive by the time he was taken off on the stretcher," the club said in a statement.

"He received further treatment inside the stadium, for which we once again thank the medical teams from both sides. Tom was transferred to hospital, where we can reassure supporters that he is stable and currently undergoing further tests, with his family at his bedside."

Lockyer, 29, had heart surgery after collapsing during Luton's Championship play-off final win against Coventry in late May.

He returned to action for the start of the new season and had made 15 appearances so far in all competitions before Saturday's match.

A young and otherwise fit athlete suffering cardiac-related illness is rare but by no means new phenomena.

Denmark midfielder Christian Eriksen was given life-saving cardiac massage treatment on the pitch during a Euro 2020 match against Finland.

The sight of the playmaker falling to the ground in the 42nd minute of the match shocked onlookers and left players on both sides distressed.

Eriksen was fitted with an implantable cardioverter defibrillator (ICD) and to the delight of the football world made a full recovery, returning to action six