Steve Cooper has revealed he planned to include Kristoffer Peterson in his matchday squad for Swansea City's clash with Millwall until he was instructed not to do so by Julian Winter.
The Swedish attacker is poised to join German side Fortuna Dusseldorf in a permanent deal worth around £400,000 plus add-ons.
It leaves Swansea thin on options in attack ahead of what will be a brutal schedule after the international break.
And Cooper has revealed he received a message from chief executive Winter on the morning of his side's 2-1 triumph over Gary Rowett's men in which he was told not to include the 25-year-old.
"Well I don't know the reason behind it [Peterson's impending exit]," said Cooper.
"I had a message off Julian Winter this morning to ask for him not to be involved. He was in the squad and would probably have been on the bench, and that's as much as I know about it to be honest.
"I didn't want to lose anybody, we're going into the busiest Championship schedule ever.
"It's a busy schedule anyway, the Championship, but this year and because of the demands on the season, it's a game every three days.
"We're going to need a squad. And I know I haven't changed the team too much, only the goalkeeper today, because we've been playing every Saturday and we've got some positive results, and you keep going with that, that's pretty normal, but that isn't going to continue. We need a squad.
"I didn't want to lose any players."
And when asked if he was consulted about Peterson's exit, Cooper responded: "I think all clubs are different, with who makes decisions.
"I just got the instruction this morning, not to involve Kris, and what happens next with him I'm not too sure."
Despite concerns over the depth of his squad, Cooper admitted he was hugely impressed with his side's efforts as they defeated Millwall at the Liberty Stadium.
Victory over the Lions means Swansea have collected 10 of the 12 points on offer so far this term.
And Cooper believes his players came of age against a notoriously tricky Millwall side.
"I think we did [come of age]," added Cooper.
"I said to the lads before the game that these are the games where if we're serious about what we're doing, we've got to make sure we stand up and are counted and try and impose our game.
"I know we're at home and we know what the Championship brings.
"But we need to keep going now."
