Kingston buoyed by Ghana strength

Laryea Kingston has welcomed the competition for places in Ghana's World Cup squad, insisting it is something he has always relished.

The midfielder, who will leave Scottish Premier League club Hearts this summer, is one of the 29 shortlisted players hoping to win a place in Milovan Rajevac's final 23-man party to make the trip to South Africa.

"I have always done well when competition is great," Kingston told www.kickoffghana.com. "I have never run away from (competition) so for the overall good of the team it is good."

Kingston was not part of the Black Stars squad that impressively finished runners-up at the African Nations Cup earlier this year due to injury and he is not the only one.

Stephen Appiah, Derek Boateng, Sulley Muntari, Quincy Owusu-Abeyie, Bernard Kumordzie and Kevin-Prince Boateng were all absent in Angola.

The race is on to now make the final squad, due to be announced before June 1.

Kingston added: "At the end of the day we all have to show the manager in training and in the friendly games, who deserves to play."

One man that he directly comes into competition with is Portsmouth midfielder Boateng, who is now eligible to play for the west Africans after FIFA formally approved an application to switch nationalities by the former Germany youth international.

But Kingston welcomed the new arrival, adding: "I have watched him several times and I think it is great addition to the team. He will make this team stronger."