You "can" but you have to "tap" the hole out and then fit the insert to a plug then a bit of thread lock and screw the plug in with insert on it, then when you next take the plug out it leaves the insert behind..... Only problem is that the bits of alloy will drop on top of piston as you "tap" the hole out..... now I wouldn't advise it but thats exactly what I did on the Audi as the owner couldn't afford the cost of head removal.... I basically got a long bit of metal covered the end in grease and popped it down the hole to collect as much swarf as possible from the top of the piston (personally I wouldn't advise anyone to do this unless its a very very last resort).

At least all is not lost with the head