Jim Jefferies looks to plug gaps as four head for exit door

Kingston, who is currently training with the Ghana World Cup squad, will join fellow midfielder Michael Stewart, defender Jose Goncalves and striker Christian Nade in leaving Tynecastle. The departure of those four high earners will make a considerable impact on Hearts' wage bill, but the loss of the first two in particular needs to be addressed by the manager over the close season.

Kingston played his best football of the season over the past few weeks, playing a pivotal role in midfield in the absence of club captain Stewart, who was first injured and then was not selected following a disagreement with Jefferies. Those roles were reversed under previous manager Csaba Laszlo earlier in the season when Stewart was an important player as Kingston was sidelined through injury and a dispute.

While he could do without one of his experienced midfielders, Jefferies was keen to hold on to Kingston and has already decided that the loss of both will mean he needs to move into the transfer market. "Michael Stewart has moved on and it looks like Larry has moved on as well so that's a couple from the midfield we have lost," Jefferies told Hearts TV.

"Ryan Stevenson has done extremely well for us since he came in, and he could be a big player for us next year. We have Ian Black and Ruben Palazuelos, but maybe another midfield player to take the place of Larry and Michael would be useful, and we are certainly looking at a couple of options there. We are also looking at strikers and competition for places would be good."

Stevenson has proven a useful addition to the squad since arriving from Ayr in January, and his fellow midfielder Ryan McGowan, who was on loan at that club last season, will be expected to make a challenge for a place in Jefferies' squad. "Ryan has caught my eye a couple times playing at right-back for Ayr, but people say his best position is in midfield so we'll have a look at him," Jefferies added. "He will certainly be a useful addition to the squad."

Kingston had hopes of being offered a new deal, but Jefferies warned earlier this week that if one did come it would be worth a lot less than his previous contract. In the end, it appears that Hearts felt even reduced terms were too much to offer a player who was one of the most talented, but also most inconsistent, members of the squad.

In contrast to the Ghanaian's situation, Goncalves was offered a lucrative new contract months ago, then staggered Jefferies by turning it down. His future is uncertain.

Nade, like the defender, did not play for Hearts over the closing stages of the season. The French forward

has been in touch with PFA Scotland, the players' union, following his release, claiming that he had signed a new three-year contract earlier this year. Yesterday Hearts denied that claim, stating that while negotiations had been opened, no agreement had been made.

In addition to the quartet of big earners, Hearts have also released two other players who made appearances for the first team last season, Ryan Wallace and Rocky Visconte. They have also parted company with two young midfielders, Elias Wagner and Billy McKenna.