Hearts boss Jim Jefferies insisted he would not recall rebel defender Jose Goncalves for Wednesday's trip to Celtic, despite the club's injury crisis deepening.

Despite being "down to the bare bones", he is not about to change his mind about Portuguese star Goncalves, who he claims has been made an "unbelievable" offer to extend his contract which expires at the end of the season.

"Am I better to go for a player who wants to play for the club or somebody who convinces me that he doesn't want to be here?" said a visibly irked Jefferies.

The Hearts boss also confirmed Ismael Bouzid has been ruled out of the Clydesdale Bank Premier League game at Parkhead after being forced off after 24 minutes of last Tuesday's Co-operative Insurance Cup semi-final defeat to St Mirren.

Jason Thomson is also doubtful, meaning Jefferies has serious defensive concerns in addition to a raft of injuries in other areas.

The Hearts boss denied claims of double standards after continuing to select captain Michael Stewart and striker Christian Nade, both of whom are also out of contract at the end of the season.

Jefferies revealed he had yet to decide whether he wanted to keep Stewart and Nade, adding: "Other boys are out of contract but I've not made any decision about them.

"I've seen Jose Goncalves play and he's a good young player.

"I've had four meetings in two days and in those four meetings I'm sitting talking to Jose looking at him, listening to him, getting the vibes that for some reason before I came here, he refused the contract.

"Why does he not want stay at the club? Because he's been made a great, great offer to stay at this football club. If he doesn't want to do that, it tells you he doesn't want to play."