The axe fell on Rukavytsya just days after scoring in the midweek win over Karlsruhe SC.

Hertha boss Markus Babbel had not been happy with the 'lax attitude' of his league-leading players at training during the week ahead of their top of the table clash with Cottbus.

But Rukavytsya was the only member of the squad to get the chop by Babbel, with the Socceroo left out altogether of the side to face Cottbus.

Hertha, though, still got the win with Rob Friend scoring the only goal against Cottbus on 59 minutes.

The Berliners are now three points clear of Cottbus at the top of the 2.Bundesliga table.