Hatem Ben Arfa has gone to Tunisia and is there this week.
Ben Arfa – in Tunisia visiting grandparents
It seems the French International was due to return to training in Newcastle last Monday, but the 23 year-old has been granted compassionate leave to return to see his grandparents in the troubled North African country.
We were wondering how much the troubles in Tunisia would have been affecting Ben Arfa, since although he was born in Paris, his grandparents still live in that country.
With the anti-government protests there over the last several weeks, Ben Arfa is reported to have concerns over the welfare of his grandparents, and its good to hear the club have allowed him to go to Tunisia for a week on compassionate grounds.
So his delay has nothing to do with his actual injury, or the recovery from it, and the club is still hoping that he can play a big part through the end of the season.
In fact the news is still excellent concerning his recovery, as the reports indicate he has continued to make excellent progress over the last eight weeks.
Ben Arfa has been working six hours a day at France’s Clairefontaine football academy, and has already began running on the injured leg, and is said to be in excellent physical shape.
Ben Arfa is now one of several good players returning to Newcastle following injury, including Steven Taylor, Stephen Ireland, Shola Ameobi and Ryan Taylor.
And since Newcastle are short of attacking options Alan Pardew could well use the lad up front as a second striker, as he’s already shown he can put that ball into the back of the net.
And it seems Alan Pardew is already a big fan, and is looking forward to the brilliantly skilled winger returning to Newcastle.
So are Newcastle fans everywhere, and this lad will get a terrific welcome back when he sets foot again on the hallowed St. James’ Park turf, as he’s a big part of Newcastle’s future.
Comments welcome.
19 comments so far
dublin mag steve
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:10 AM
Comment #1cant wait to see him back in action just hope hes the same player fingers crosssed lads eh.
ToonZiga
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:19 AM
Comment #2cant wait to see him in black&white again. He will be our number 1 next season.
Toonboy_84
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Comment #3This gives him another week to heal at least. He CANNOT be rushed back. It wouldn’t bother me if he played only a couple of sub appearances this season when we are safe. Then next season we can unleash him on the premier league once again.
Going back to the last thread when everyone is talking about The bull and Tiote leaving. The bull maybe, to get CL football but remember Tiote left CL football behind with FC Twente when he come to us so can’t be that fussed about it. Also by the way he speaks he seems to love the Toon.
As long as our mate Fat Ash gets his money out in the summer, then I can see most of our top players staying anyway. You can’t buy the team spirit we have here.
Onwards and upwards
HWYL
Toonboy_84
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:21 AM
Comment #4*HWTL* lol
Indian Magpie
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:22 AM
Comment #5would not surprise me if Mr Arsely sold him if we received a bid for him. 😆
JohnnyBrookes
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:30 AM
Comment #6Reading Barton’s quotes again, to me, he is saying you need to spend or we will lose players.
It’s a comment aimed at Ashley, whether or not he bothers with it is anyone’s guess, but I feel Barton is as concerned as us regarding what is going to happen.
daneevz
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Comment #7we’ll all have to wait and see as we all knw M.A is not a press conference man so we will neva knw what hes gonna do! anyway its gonna b a gr8 day wen bennyA steps foot bk st james lookin forward to it.
HAVE A LOOK AT THIS GOAL LOL SUPER SKILL http://www.vidyoara.com/izle/176798372351934/ibrahim-afellay-best-goal-on-training
ginkoh
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:38 AM
Comment #8With PRM income next season + Carroll fee, I don’t see any reason why we have to sellsome players for profit. we have enough budget to buy quality player now. No excuse anymore from Ashley to not spread the cash without selling. But anyone know Ashley is money hunger so It’s not guarantee anything anymore.
davybtoon
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:43 AM
Comment #9see jose has said he is flattered by liverpool n man u interest n he dosent rule anything out, first stage of basically saying i want go, as good as he is i dont want anyone who dont want to b here plus i feel kadar could do that role just aswell
Overseas Newcastle - Cheik out Tiotes back pocket
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:46 AM
Comment #108) can’t wait till he’s back 😀
daneevz
Feb 17, 2011 at 9:48 AM
Comment #11Davy i dont think kadar will do anywhere near a good a job as the bull his attackin is a key part of our play that often generates a opportunity i dnt think i seen kadar attack at all so it would be a big loss but he as the rest of us are waiting to see if cashley is gonna part with the carroll money!
john_cena163
Feb 17, 2011 at 10:35 AM
Comment #12Long live KING ARFA
ArtyH
Feb 17, 2011 at 10:43 AM
Comment #13Dont want to be a doom sayer but is it not correct that last Xmas MA bailed out the toon to tune of £100m??? I dont think he will be investing anything until he has got that back!!!
There is a sting in the tail yet to come.
Just hope I am wrong……
Davies
Feb 17, 2011 at 11:05 AM
Comment #14I think the owner has prved that he will splash the cash (Colo for £10M, Barton for £6m, HBA for £5.5M, even Alan Smith cost a pretty penny), but he’ll only do it for the right players.
We can only wait to see what happens in the summer.
Looking forward to getting HBA back into action.
Davies
Feb 17, 2011 at 11:07 AM
Comment #15Oh, and if Enrique goes, it would be nice to see PVA come in as his replacement. He could be just as good.
Klatoon
Feb 17, 2011 at 11:15 AM
Comment #16I think G.Carr and Pardew shld start looking at LB’s because Jose’s recent comments are not too encouraging but I hope he’s just waiting for us to reach 40 points and he’ll have his pen ready to sign the new contract,I really hope so. But if he leaves,hw about Razvan Rat or Manuel Vargas,their play styles are really close to the bull’s
Ciaran Thomas
Feb 17, 2011 at 12:38 PM
Comment #17The the tune of “Give it up”
Everybody wants to break your leg.
You have a great left peg
Now you cant play untill end of the season
NANANANANANA Ben Arfa
…NANANA HATEM BEN ARFA
hadthetshirt
Feb 17, 2011 at 3:49 PM
Comment #18I have no doubt our scouts will be looking for left backs as well as strikers.
With Hatem though why take a chance.It did Gosling no favours trying to get them back too soon.We have Ireland to come in.I would let Hatem just play cameo roles this season.
He has been a big miss though.
BournemouthGeordie
Feb 18, 2011 at 9:41 AM
Comment #19Harper
Saylor Colo
Simmo Enrique
Tiote
Barton Nolan Gosling Jonas
Ben Arfa