Laryea Kingston has been spared another club v country headache after he was left out of Ghana’s latest international squad. The Hearts midfielder, who has suffered from a persistent injury this season, has not been selected to travel with his country for matches against Mali and Angola.
Kingston has not been named in the squad for the Edinburgh derby against Hibs due to his continuing hamstring problem. However, he had previously travelled to play for Ghana while ruled out of his club’s matches with the same complaint.
Kingston incurred club manager Csaba Laszlo’s wrath after he appeared for the Black Stars against Japan and Sudan earlier this season. The Hearts boss was furious that the player was considered unfit for SPL duty but had played in a friendly for Ghana.
Laszlo publicly questioned the player’s commitment to the Gorgie club and there was speculation that the creative midfielder’s Tynecastle career was coming to an end. Kingston was reportedly fined four weeks’ wages over the dispute and excluded from first-team training.
The Hearts manager extended the olive branch to the player, suggesting that if he applied himself then a first team return and extended contract were a possibility. He has since lamented the fact that his side are currently unable to draw upon the Ghanian’s undoubted talents.
Being left out of Ghana’s international squad could have spared the midfielder a difficult decision. His country play Mali in a World Cup qualifier next week but although their passage to South Africa is already assured, competition for places means that Kingston’s place is the finals squad is not assured.
Ghana have also qualified for the African Cup of Nations and, if fit, could be called up for the tournament in January. Ghana are considered among the favourites for the tournament and Hearts could miss the player for as long as three weeks in the new year.
Kingston’s injury was picked up in training just days after he made his first appearance for Hearts this season in the match against Aberdeen on October 17.
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