Marius Zaliukas today urged Hearts fans to lay off Laryea Kingston if the midfielder makes his first home appearance of the season this weekend.

Kingston, 28, was given his maiden run-out this term during the second half of Saturday's 1-1 Clydesdale Bank Premier League draw at Aberdeen.

His introduction was greeted by a muted response from the travelling support, who will have been well aware of the recent words and deeds that landed the 28-year-old in hot water with manager Csaba Laszlo.

As well as claiming he would always put country before club after playing for Ghana in a World Cup qualifier against Laszlo's wishes last month, Kingston was involved in a furious bust-up with the Hearts boss at the end of August for which he was fined four weeks' wages.

Laszlo has forgiven Kingston for his conduct and wants the club's supporters to do the same.

Those sentiments have now been echoed by vice-captain Zaliukas ahead of Saturday's Tynecastle clash with Falkirk.

Speaking as Hearts and Hibernian came together to support a drive for new blood donors, Zaliukas said: "We need to welcome him back, for his self-confidence.

"We have to support, I think, not to boo players."

Kingston missed the start of the season due to a persistent knee injury, a problem which sparked his rift with Laszlo as he believed he was fit enough to be playing for both club and country.

Zaliukas, who is currently nursing an ankle problem, believes Kingston is now ready to help Hearts kick on this season.

He said: "I'm seeing him in training; he's strong mentally, physically."

Of his own injury, which he picked up while on international duty with Lithuania last month, Zaliukas said he hoped to be back in training next week and was targeting next month's Edinburgh derby for his return to action.

Wearing an orthopaedic boot as he works his way back to full fitness, the 25-year-old defended his side's start to t season, especially their record in front of goal.

Laszlo has openly vented his frustration at the number of chances eighth-placed Hearts have squandered.

But Zaliukas said: "Last year was the same. We played with one striker and were not scoring a lot of goals - but we were winning.

"This year, it's maybe just a hard start."

Yet the defender knows he and his team-mates have underachieved.

"The results - everyone agrees with me - are not good enough," he said.

"Our target, I think, is again to play in Europe.

"Hopefully, a couple of good results will give us confidence and we'll turn it around."

Asked if repeating last season's third-placed finish was still achievable, he added: "It's our target to finish like last year but we will see in the future."