Okay, that didn't really answer my question why you were using that specific kernel however since it appears you depend on someone else if something were to go wrong then I'd advise you not to change kernels. Also trying to install VMware Workstation is going to fail the same way as with VMware Player. As long as you do not have the kernel headers installed for the specific kernel you're running you will not be able to install either VMware Player or VMware Workstation.
Once you have learned how to properly backup and restore your system and how to install and use different kernels which have the kernel headers installed without having to depend on someone else to do it, then you can revisit installing VMware Player.