Ex-Bristol Rovers defender Tom Lockyer has been without a club since leaving Luton upon the expiry of his contract this summerTom Lockyer in action during his first stint at Bristol Rovers(Image: Photo by Catherine Ivill – AMA/Getty Images)

Tom Lockyer is currently training with Bristol Rovers, according to reports, with a view to signing a permanent deal with his former club, six years after his first stint at the Memorial Stadium came to an end.

Lockyer, who spent seven years in north Bristol between 2012 and 2019, is currently a free agent, after his contract with League One side Luton Town came to an end following the Hatters’ relegation from the Championship.

The Wales international’s return to football after a cardiac arrest has been delayed as a result of surgery over the course of the last year; however, Lockyer has now been cleared to play again.

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According to Dan Hargraves, the 30-year-old is currently training with Darrell Clarke’s side, with there every chance that he is offered a contract by the Gas. At this stage, though, nothing has been agreed between player and club.

Securing the services of the experienced defender, who has played in all four tiers of English football, would be a major signal of intent from both Clarke and Rovers’ director of football Ricky Martin as they look to guide the Gas to promotion out of League Two at the first time of asking after last season’s relegation from League One.

In his first stint at the Mem, Lockyer made 284 appearances for Rovers in all competitions, helping Clarke’s side win back-to-back promotions out of the National League and League Two before establishing himself as a regular for the Gas in League One.

His performances in the third tier earned him a move to Championship Charlton Athletic, and after his sole season at the Valley ended in relegation, he joined Luton Town, where he played a crucial role in Rob Edwards’ side’s promotion to the Premier League as play-off winners.

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Discussing his current condition, Lockyer told the Feast of Football podcast, “It’s been a long old road, it really has, but I’m delighted to say I’ve been cleared to play football again, so obviously that’s amazing, just everything I’ve worked for ever since it [the cardiac arrest] happened.

“Everything looks good, so I’m really, really happy.”

After the first 11 league matches of Clarke’s second stint in charge of the Gas, Rovers find themselves sitting 12th in League Two, a single point adrift of MK Dons – this weekend’s opponents – and the play-off places.

Clarke has already brought two of his former players back to the Mem this season in Alfie Kilgour and Ellis Harrison, both of whom have impressed in the early stages of the campaign. Kilgour was named the Gas’ captain, whilst Harrison has already found the net three times in five league starts.

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