Livingston boss Mark Burchill believes heartbroken midfielder Darren Cole wants to play in Sunday 's Petrofac Cup final despite the game coming just a week after the tragic death of his cousin in America . The ex-Rangers youth has been mourning the loss of Shaun Cole , 22 , who was found dead in a Miami street last weekend and is thought to have been the victim of a hit-and-run driver . A soldier who had served in Afghanistan , he was on holiday in Florida while on leave and had attended a music festival there before being found on a pavement with a head injury which proved fatal . Livingston boss Mark Burchill is hopeful that midfielder Darren Cole will turn out for his side on Sunday . Livingston star Cole , 23 , was close to Shaun and paid tribute to the army private on his Twitter account this week . He wrote : ' I know you wo n't be here for the rest of our lives but I can promise I 'll love you for the rest of mine . ' Cole was granted time off by the Championship side as they prepare to face Alloa at McDiarmid Park in their first national final in 11 years . But he returned to training on Wednesday and is due to work with the players again after a squad day off on Thursday . Burchill is not putting any pressure on the 23-year-old to play despite the fact he has been a key member of the team since signing a short-term deal in February . He will give Cole as much time as he needs to grieve and accept whatever decision he makes - but admits that the former Murray Park youngster has given the impression he would like to be involved . Burchill said : 'Darren was away from the club initially and we do n't really know what to expect but I am speaking with him constantly to plan with him . 'He came back to training on Wednesday but is still in a bit of shock after what has happened , which is completely understandable . 'If I 'm honest , I really do n't know if he is going to play so we will need to see how things go once we get towards Saturday and Sunday . ' I think Darren would like to play but he has never been through something like this before in his life . 'Him and Shaun were much closer than a lot of cousins are . They grew up together , were around the same age and lived in the same area . They were best mates . 'Darren and his family want to find out exactly what happened and get a wee bit of closure because they still do n't know the circumstances . 'We will do everything we can as a club to keep his head straight . It goes without saying we would like him to be involved and I think he would like to be . 'He is a very aggressive central midfielder and is technically one of the best players at the club with two fantastic feet . ' Cole ( left ) was left heartbroken following the death of his cousin , Shaun , from a suspected hit-and-run .
Livingston stake on Alloa Athletic in the final of the Petrofac Cup on Sunday . The Scottish FA has confirmed that it will not be renewing its contract with Rangers until at least June next year.