Lockyer collapsed in the 58th minute of the match, which was eventually abandoned.

Luton manager Rob Edwards immediately ran onto the pitch at the Vitality Stadium to usher his players away from Lockyer and allow medical staff and paramedics to administer treatment.

Play was suspended as players moved and officials moved to the side of the pitch before heading back to the changing rooms a few minutes later.

Lockyer was then stretchered off, surrounded by medical staff.

A statement from Luton later said: "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."

After a stoppage of around 25 minutes, the game was called off by referee Simon Hooper.

The incident will bring back painful memories from May's Championship final, when Lockyer was stretchered off after collapsing on the pitch in the 11th minute.

Lockyer had suffered an atrial fibrillation, but recovered in hospital and underwent surgery. He was given the all clear to continue playing after Luton were promoted to the Premier League.

Following the abandonment, Rob Edwards led his players in a walk around the pitch, applauding both sets of fans, with the Luton manager looking emotional as he did so.

Moments before Lockyer's collapse, Bournemouth had equalised through Dominic Solanke to make it 1-1. Luton had taken an early lead through Elijah Adebayo.

The Premier League later confirmed the game's abandonment, adding in a statement: "Our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer and all players involved in today's match."

Lockyer, a Wales international, also received support from his country's FA, who posted on social media: "Our thoughts are with Tom Lockyer."