Hearts captain Mahatma Otoo insists Laryea Kingston will return to the team to play an influential role in their title ambitions this season.

Kingston is serving an indefinite suspension after he clashed with head coach CK Akunnor for breaking camp rules.

Though no timeline has been given for the return of the former Black Stars player into the team ahead of the start of the Premier League campaign, the newly appointed skipper is confident he will stage a comeback sooner rather than later.

“He (Kingston) will come back to the team. We need him because he is part of our game plan,” Otoo told Kumasi-based Fox FM

“He is an important player for the team and we will need him.

“When he is in there with us, he encourages the players and so I have no doubt in my mind that he will be back in the team soon.”

Hearts are anxious to return to the top of Ghana Football after playing three seasons without a trophy.