Jim Jefferies admitted he consulted Hearts sporting director Aleksandr Metlitksi before playing contract rebel Jose Goncalves in Sunday's Clydesdale Bank Premier League defeat at Dundee United.
Goncalves was a shock starter at Tannadice, the Portuguese defender being drafted in amid an injury crisis that saw the visitors missing 14 first-team squad members, including three centre-halves. It was Goncalves' first appearance under Jefferies, who had vowed not to play him while he refused to sign a new deal with the club.
"I report to the sporting director and I told him the situation, that we needed to play him," Jefferies said following his side's 1-0 defeat. "He agreed and there was no problem."
He added: "Everybody understands that it was a necessity because of the injuries we've had. If I had somebody else fit, he wouldn't have played. If he hadn't have played God knows who I would've played in there."
Jefferies denied previously stating Goncalves would not be selected until he extended his contract, which expires this summer.
And asked if Goncalves would remain part of his plans for the rest of the season, Jefferies added: "We'll obviously try to negotiate and get this thing resolved. If we don't, well wait and see. It's better to concentrate on players who want to be here."
Hearts' injury list grew even further when captain Michael Stewart was forced to pull out of the side after the warm-up.
The midfielder sustained a calf strain on Thursday and it had been hoped he would shake it off.
"By the time he was on the bus coming up here and warming up it just stiffened up," said Jefferies, who hailed the performance of stand-in Paul Mulrooney. "He (Mulrooney) covered every blade of grass, tackled well, competed, passed it quite well.
"What a terrific plus for us when you see a young kid like that."
