Laryea Kingston omitted from Ghana squad

Published on Friday 18 December 2009 23:25

LARYEA Kingston has been left out of the Ghana squad for next month's African Cup of Nations as a result of injury. The Hearts midfielder was this week diagnosed by his club medical staff with a hamstring strain and told he might be out of action for up to seven weeks.

On previous occasions, however, Kingston had reported for duty with his national team despite being ruled unfit by the Edinburgh side. Csaba Laszlo, his club manager, has grown increasingly weary of the 29-year-old Ghanaian's fitness problems – as have many Hearts supporters, who booed Kingston as he walked off the field in the closing stages of last week's match against Dundee United at Tynecastle.

Kingston claimed earlier this season that he was doing no more than thinking and acting patriotically by putting the interests of his country before those of his club. However by playing so few games for Hearts he was always running the risk of falling out of Ghana's plans.

He must now hope that he regains fitness in time to put together a run in the Hearts team that will take him back into contention for a place in his country's squad for the World Cup in South Africa next year.

Chelsea's Michael Essien, who has partnered Kingston in midfield for Ghana, has been included in the squad despite the fact that he is also currently out of action because of injury. However, Sulley Muntari of Inter Milan has been omitted – he has not been a regular for his club this season and also has disciplinary problems with Black Stars coach Milovan Rajevac.

Richard Kingson, Laryea's brother, has kept his place. The Wigan player is one of three goalkeepers named by Rajevac in a 23-man squad.