Scotland goalkeeper Craig Gordon was dropped to the bench the day after urging Hearts to be more open about events at the Edinburgh club.
But head coach Valdas Ivanauskas insists that the 23-year-old's absence against Dundee United had nothing to do with Tuesday's disciplinary meeting.
"He was not feeling so good this morning," Ivanauskas told BBC Sport.
"We have a big match against Hibs on Tuesday and it would have been a big risk for him to play."
Gordon was on the bench at Tannadice and his place taken by Steve Banks.
Ivanauskas, who had insisted on Friday that Gordon would not be dropped as a result of the disciplinary meeting, said before the game: "He will be a big, big miss, but we have no choice.
"We have decided to give him a rest because, in three days, it is the derby game. I hope he is okay tomorrow."
However, despite Banks impressing in the 1-0 defeat of Dundee United, Ivanauskas insisted that Gordon would regain his place against Hibs.
Gordon had been present at an October media conference, along with Scotland midfielder Paul Hartley, when captain Steven Pressley revealed dressing-room unrest at coaching changes at the club.
Pressley was dropped by the club and has since left Tynecastle by "mutual consent".
Hartley was consigned to the bench last weekend following a disciplinary meeting.
And Hearts and Gordon have refused to reveal divulge any details of the follow-up meeting with the goalkeeper on Tuesday.
But Gordon, who has been promoted to captain, complained on Friday that he was unable to say more.
And he suggested that the club's fans deserved to be told more about recent events behind the scenes.
But Ivanauskas insisted: "The meeting was on Tuesday and was internal, but everything was okay and it was not a problem."