Craig Gordon has missed the last four matches for Hearts

Gordon watched the 1-0 win over Inverness from the stand as Steve Banks kept his place in the Edinburgh side.

Ivanauskas said: "The transfer window was very hard for the young boy and the speculation about Craig was not good.

"He was affected by the speculation but he'll definitely play again. He doesn't need tension every weekend."

Interview: Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas

Banks, who signed a one year contract extension on Saturday, kept his third clean-sheet in four games in the win against Inverness.

Injury was blamed for Gordon's original absence, while he returned to the bench for last weekend's surprise Scottish Cup defeat at Dunfermline.

It's important he's ready for his next game when that comes around Hearts head coach Valdas Ivanauskas

However, this week Ivanauskas did not included the 24-year-old among the substitutes.

Gordon had been the subject of an internal disciplinary hearing at the club for his part in former captain Steven Pressley's criticism of club owner Vladimir Romanov.

He joined Pressley and midfielder Paul Hartley in going public about dressing-room unrest in October about Romanov's regime at Tynecastle.

Pressley and Hartley have since moved to Celtic, while Hearts attempted to sell Gordon during the January transfer window.

Ivanauskas said Banks had performed well and deserved his place ahead of Gordon.

"Steve Banks did well, he has not had many chances, and experience is very important in our situation.

"With him being the Scottish number one keeper I don't think it's good for him to sit on the bench," Ivanauskas told the Sunday Mail.

"I believe it's better for him to sit in the stand. He doesn't need tension every weekend with the speculation about whether he goes here or to other teams elsewhere.

"Now it's important he's ready for his next game when that comes around."

On Friday, Hearts assistant Stephen Frail said: "If I was picking the team, Craig Gordon would be in the team.

"Because he is one of the best goalkeepers - not just in Scotland and Britain - but in Europe."