We’ve been wondering when Ben Arfa would be able to return to the fray, after he was brought back too early in the Fulham game on 10th December, and it looks like that misjudgment has cost Newcastle the use of the French International for two months, because Alan Pardew has said today he hopes to have Ben Arfa back for the Tottenham game, on 9th February.
Hatem Ben Arfa – back on February 9th
With Yohan Cabaye starting the game on Saturday against Reading – according to Alan Pardew – and Steven Taylor finally returning from his hamstring problems, the obvious question was how far away was the 25 year-old French international and Alan Pardew for the very first time has put a time-frame on Ben Arfa’s recovery.
This is what Alan said today:
“We think he has a chance for Spurs.”
If Ben Arfa does return at Tottenham he will be available for the final 13 league games of the season, so it could have been worse, and he’ll miss the next three league games.
Slowly but surely Newcastle are strengthening their squad with new signings coming in, and players returning from injury.
And with all our players fit again for pre-season, our squad should be a lot stronger than it was when we started this season, and with no European competition next term – we should be able to do so much better in the Premier League.
That’s the hope anyway.
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20 comments so far
JazzMag
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:32 AM
Comment #1Yessssss! 🙂
cyprus
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:35 AM
Comment #2Ed,
Please don’t mention the top six 🙂 (previous article) There’s only 1 goal, now. Don’t forget this is our worst point haul, ever!
So, HBA out in the Summer! That will be a sad day, signalling our wee size, to quote some other guy.
Tsunki
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:37 AM
Comment #3Being out until feb is a good enough smokescreen for him to go this window though isn’t it? Just saying is all.
rivettCatcher
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:37 AM
Comment #4CENTER BACKS!!!
Feel like a broken record 🙁
Transfer Sage
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:38 AM
Comment #5Why when we are linked with players does most people say they hate papers and its made up.
As soon as our player is linked away everyone panics haha.
Benny wont be going…psg wont buy him…he is very very talented but gets nowhere near the goals and assist he is capable or and never has done.
cyprus
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:40 AM
Comment #6Transfer,
If I knew you would easily bet you on that 🙂
He’s gone, this summer.
Tsunki
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:41 AM
Comment #7No panic just stating the possible. Nothing more. Anyone can go. We might even lose Iron Mike. Then we could panic 😉
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:42 AM
Comment #8Torq…thanks for the input 😉
…there are always a few Montpellier players I would fancy!
*interesting news about a possible double deal (here’s hoping) – the Colo situation bugs me though ’cause something about it just seems unprofessional and childlike!
cyprus
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:42 AM
Comment #9And he’s better than you suggest. Could easily stand his ground in a Barca set up and no one else in our team would come close (except Krul too)
TorqToon
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:44 AM
Comment #10Dubzy – on belhanda – A great player mate – but not the right person for the club I would say. No doubting his talent though that’s for sure. Just not right for this club.
There are plenty of potential replacements for HBA should any of the big guns come in for him. We can demand whatever fee we want don’t forget.
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:45 AM
Comment #11…this by the way is one player Pardew only can blame himself for loosing for so long (he would take a hamstring seriously in the first place)
Maybe there is a reason for our injuries – or the pro-long seriousness of them (Cabaye should have had an operation at the beginning of the season).
JDdubai
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:45 AM
Comment #12No European football next season??????
We are nailed on to win the Europa this year man, with all our world class youngsters destroying Europe’s (2nd) best teams……
jesperfuglsang - captain of the lemon crew
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:48 AM
Comment #13*wouldn’t
Transfer Sage
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:48 AM
Comment #14cyprus
I rate ben arfa very highly
I said a few days ago I seem him as the player closest to the quality of messi in that style (obviously not as good).
I put him ahead of hazard or any other dribbler (bar messi) in world football in terms if what he can do.
I just think looking over his career, for whatever reason, he has never managed to be consistent and gets the 15-20 goals and same assists as he is capable of.
I will have a friendly bet with you that he doesn’t go…I will bet you for pride lol.
q8igeordie
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:50 AM
Comment #15We need him back asap … I have a feeling newcastle might do well in the europa this year … europa would enhance nufc’s reputation around the globe
Transfer Sage
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:51 AM
Comment #16jesper
I don’t blame pardew for the injury being made worse.
No matter what manager we have here we always seem to have injuries, people then play with them and ruin their career by consistently getting injured after.
Rumour has it st james’ is built on an ancient red indian burial ground and is cursed haha.
Jakenufc
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:55 AM
Comment #17Damn! Have just brought Newcastle home tickets to see the Chelsea game (as i live in Leicester) for my brithday. Was pinning my hopes on HBA coming back abit sooner :'( thats a bummer. Still looking forward to it though as am a major Newcastle fan, have been all my life but this will be my first game i have seen! LOL
lordy_geordie
Jan 14, 2013 at 9:59 AM
Comment #18jake. where in leicester do you live?
Lilongwe Geordie
Jan 14, 2013 at 10:04 AM
Comment #19Before wee decide to give the Europa a good go, we need a few good wins under our belt to drag us away from the relegation zone. If we get 6 points from the next two games, and a few reinforcements as well as players coming back from injury I don’t see why we don’t putout some strong teams and have a real go at the Europa.
BUT only IF we get some league wins under our belt.
NEWEXPATMAGPIE
Jan 14, 2013 at 10:14 AM
Comment #20I think some idioot has overheard HBA comment on the fact that he visits Paris occasionally to watch PSG play and visit his mates!
It is logical that some-one has mentioned this to someone in the Media and Hey Presto! Before you know it, there are Stories/ Rumours / Inuendo about a possible move for Hatem to PSG to play for his favourite childhood Club?
Are you lot so Naive and Gullible or what ! When he first came he was out for more than a year with a knackered leg! He became reveered and applauded and was moved by the support he had in his re-validation period !
Of course as soon as a rumour does the rounds on here your all jumping on the band-wagon and panicking!
I do not believe for one minute any of the reports on here about Hatem Ben Arfa?
He will be back playing , when he is fit and ready, hopefully they don,t bring him back too soon like the last time?
The very thought of Hatem, playing in the same team with Remy and Papiss up front and Cabaye,Marvaux and Anita in Midfield is dreamland for me!
Now for Sissoko?
HWTL!!!!