Kingston to play, despite ban?

Hearts officials will do everything possible to ensure Laryea "Larry" Kingston is available for Sunday's UEFA Cup showdown with Aberdeen, and possibly even the remaining two SPL fixtures thereafter.

The club are due to dispatch an official appeal against the player's three-game SFA ban, issued yesterday for his verbal abuse of referee Steve Conroy at Pittodrie last month, before close of business on Friday. That would free Kingston to play until an appeal can be heard at Hampden Park.

Depending on the availability of a three-man appeal panel, it may not be possible for them to convene to hear the Ghanaian's plea until after the end of the season. The SFA will attempt to hear any appeal next week but it may be delayed until the following week, allowing Kingston to face Hibs, or the week after, which would let him face Kilmarnock in the final league game of the season.

Meanwhile, Kingston may get the chance to play against the team he dreams of playing for in the future. BARCELONA confirmed today that they are in discussions with Hearts over a prestigious pre-season friendly at Murrayfield at the end of July.