Souness left visibly shocked as Pardew reflects on Tiote's tragic death

The former midfielder died at the age of 30 in 2017 after suffering a cardiac arrest.

Tiote was plying his trade in China for Beijing Enterprises Group at the time having spent seven years at St James' Park.

talkSPORT host Alan Pardew managed the late Ivory Coast international for four years and reflected on his death in light of Luton skipper Tom Lockyer's recent cardiac arrest.

The 29-year-old collapsed against Bournemouth in December, with the defender revealing he 'literally died' on the pitch before being rushed to hospital.

Speaking in the talkSPORT studio, Lockyer's situation led Pardew to comment on Tiote to Souness, who himself had major heart surgery when he was 38 in 1992.

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Pardew said: "I have lost a player - Cheick Tiote - dropped [dead] in China when he was training.

"My goodness, the shock of that was just unbelievable, that in the prime of his life, that could happen."

Pardew added: "He was such a lovable character, such a rogue, he was so loved in the dressing room, and that would have been the same in all the dressing rooms he appeared in.

"I met his agent actually a couple of months ago and we talked about the fallout, and I said, 'Oh it's been incredible', trying to piece it all together."

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Interjecting, Souness, who was aware Tiote had died, but not completely aware of the circumstances, asked: "Did he just drop over in training?"

After being told he did, a stunned Souness could not find the words as he looked up to the ceiling in bewilderment.

Luton defender Tom Lockyer recalls moment his heart stopped for two minutes on the pitch before waking up to 'nothingness'

It remains to be seen whether Lockyer will hang up his boots having previously collapsed during the Championship play-off final last May.

In an interview with Sky Sports, the 16-cap Wales international declared he is yet to make his mind up over his playing career.

He remarked: "My hands to a certain degree are dictated to by medical staff and specialists.

"What I would say is if there is chance I could play again - I won't do anything against specialist recommendations - then I would love to.

"It's far too early to say at this time, a lot more tests need to happen in the background, but I wouldn't write it off at the minute. But my priority is my baby."