Van Burik furious at Hertha snub

The 29-year-old Dutch defender was left on the bench by coach Huub Stevens for the length of Hertha's 3-2 home defeat against Hannover on Saturday and has now openly expressed his discontent.

"I'm not prepared to go to the ground, sit down on the bench and think, 'Okay, no problem, the game can begin now.' Of course I'm unhappy," fumed van Burik.

Hertha, who started the season as favourites for a Champions League berth, have made a disastrous start to the Bundesliga, but van Burik is still confident that he can lead his squad up the table.

"I firmly believe that I'll be playing against Bochum on Saturday," he said.

"I am someone who shoulders responsibility during training alongside four or five others.

"If I feel that the lads aren't right behind me, then I wouldn't have any problem giving up the captain's armband."