We were wondering when Hatem Ben Arfa would be back in full training again, and it turns out he was finally back yesterday, and he will be fighting for his place against Southampton this coming Sunday – in what will be a crucial league game for Newcastle.
Ben Arfa scored against Fulham – in his last game
But we don’t think that he will be used in the Europa League game against Metalist Kharkiv on Thursday night – and we’d be surprised if he even traveled for that game.
Yesterday was a celebration of Bobby Robson’s birthday (he was born in 1933), and if he had still been alive Bobby would have been 80 years old yesterday.
Alan Pardew was one of the guests at the Sage last night for a Celebration of Sir Bobby Robson’s life, and he had this to say about Bobby, and mentioned that Ben Arfa was back in training:
“It’s an inspiration, of course.” “We’ve got a tough one going out to Ukraine but we’re in good spirits. The whole squad has trained today – including Ben Arfa – and we’re very, very pleased.” “We go there tomorrow, hopefully with the enthusiasm to win.”
The whole squad training will also mean that Yoan Gouffran has recovered from a severe gash and bruising on his shin he picked up in the game at Tottenham, when he was carried off in the second half, so that is more good news.
Ben Arfa has been out over two months since he made his one game return at Fulham at the beginning of December, and looked great and scored a brilliant goal out of nothing, in the second half.
But it seems like he was brought back too early for that game, and he further damaged his hamstring – but we have to hope he is now fully recovered and can play in all of our final 12 league games of the season.
For the record Ben Arfa has played 48 times for Newcastle with 10 goals and 10 assists.
It’s great to have Ben Arfa and Yoan back in training.
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10 responses so far ↓
1 Transfer Sage // Feb 19, 2013 at 9:15 AM
Great news he is back…20/30 mins in the ukraine and maybe the same vs southampton…unless he is fit enough to start southampton game.
2 geordielad880 // Feb 19, 2013 at 9:22 AM
On thursday I would go for:-
———————————krul
m’biwa———Collocini——–s.taylor——————santon
——————anita———tiote——–cabaye
——-campbell—————————————-marvo
———————————-cisse
And against southampton:-
———————————krul
Debuchy———collocini———s.taylor————santon
——————-sissoko————–anita
——————————-cabaye
ben arfa—————————————————-gouffran
——————————–cisse
I think we could win both games, with those sides, and it keeps things pretty fresh with a few changes, without changing too much, and ben arfa is back in training!!!
3 Charlie in the Gallowgate // Feb 19, 2013 at 9:23 AM
Transfer Sage
previous post – ‘make managers yet’
not just Chelsea – plenty of other places and numpties like Warnock, Hughes, can’t manage but get jobs left right and centre and huge payoffs when they get the sack time after time
4 Transfer Sage // Feb 19, 2013 at 9:27 AM
charlie
Yeh I don’t get it really. Hughes did well at blackburn and did a good job with fulham but has struggled everywhere else.
I’m not sure if its the same in italy, spain and germany but in england its the same managers who seem to rotate around the clubs in the prem and championship….there must be either a compete lack of talent further down the leagues or chairmen are just morons haha.
5 Charlie in the Gallowgate // Feb 19, 2013 at 9:31 AM
Transfer Sage
Majority of Chairmen are Morons
6 Toon-Prodigy // Feb 19, 2013 at 9:35 AM
Excellent news.
A little bit later than I had anticipated but excellent all the same.
NUFC has a great squad with quality in depth now. It’s great to see. Big push up the league now.
I can’t wait for next season already.
Onwards and upwards.
7 walton1984 // Feb 19, 2013 at 9:52 AM
Thursdays Team would be
Krul
Simpson MBiwa Colo Santon
Tiote Anita Cabaye
Marv Shola Obertan
Reasons for Shola….He Bossed that big Centre Half when he came on & Mbwia coz Taylor i dont think he can play 2 games in 4 days
Sunday
Kurl
Debuchy Taylor Colo Santon
Tiote Cabaye Sissiko
Then forwards Depend on fitness
But if fit i would play
HBA Gouf Marv
but if not fit
Gouf Cisse Marv
8 toonincheek // Feb 19, 2013 at 10:43 AM
Think HBA will see the last 30 minutes of the Soton game. Just easing him back gently.
9 Moat1 // Feb 19, 2013 at 7:24 PM
my team 4 soton
krul
debuchy coliccini saylor santon
Gutierez Cabaye Gouffran Sissoko Marveaux
Cisse
My dream team which could be done after the summer:
Krul
Debuchy colliccini saylor santon
HBA sissoko Cabaye
Gouffran Aubameyang Cisse
Subs
Tiote Marveaux De jong(siem) Guttierez Mbiwa Raylor
10 Moat1 // Feb 19, 2013 at 7:28 PM
Summer:
Out:
Simmo willow Campbell (loan) Ferguson (loan) Amalfitano Samiobi (loan) abeid(loan)
In:
De jong (siem) Aubameyang welbeck (loan) Iturbe
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