Karlsruhe's visit to the German capital tomorrow could be Marko Pantelic's final home match as a Hertha Berlin player.

The Serbia star, who has four goals to his name this term, is rumoured to be on his way out during the winter break after losing his starting spot and falling out with coach Lucien Favre.

Pantelic's contract expires at the end of the season, and he has yet to receive a new offer.

Asked about his future, he said: "I do not comment on this. Hertha remains my first port of call - until Christmas. Ask me again in January."

With just four points between them and league leaders Hoffenheim, a victory over struggling Karlsruhe - who snapped a nine-game winless run with a 1-0 defeat of Werder Bremen last weekend - would give Hertha an enjoyable Christmas.

However, they might have to replace Josip Simunic with the skipper nursing a calf injury.

"Karlsruhe will be difficult to beat," he said. "The result against Bremen will give them a boost."

The first success in eight weeks allowed Edmund Becker's troops to escape the drop zone, yet the coach is far from satisfied.

"Neither 14 nor 16 points will be enough to meet our goals," he said. "But a positive result would allow us to enter the break with a good feeling."

Maik Franz (heel) and Tim Sebastian (thigh) are missing for the visitors, with Sofian Chahed (thigh), Christian Fielder (ACL), Patrick Ebert (pubic bone) and Lukasz Piszczek (hip) sidelined for the hosts.