Kingston aims to defy doctors

Kingston is one of the Black Stars' most important players

Ghana midfielder Laryea Kingston is hoping to defy his club doctors and play for the Black Stars at the Nations Cup finals.
The midfielder has been ruled out for two months by Scottish club Hearts with an ankle injury.

The Nations Cup kicks off on 20 January in Ghana.

Kingston is in Accra, having missed Hearts' league fixture last Saturday.

He told BBC Sport that he hopes to make a recovery in time for the tournament.

"I'm responding to treatment at the moment and I can see that there's improvement to the injury," said Kingston.

"I'm very confident that I can make it."

Kingston would only be able to play for the Black Stars if the national team doctors pass him fit.

With captain Stephen Appiah out of the Nations Cup due to injury, Kingston admits that he feels under pressure to play.

"It's a severe blow that Stephen is out, so I have to do everything possible to be fit so that I can help the team.

"Everybody in Ghana is worried at the moment, so hopefully I can come back."