Rather sensational news in the local Sunday Sun this morning, that will warm the hearts of Newcastle fans everywhere.
Ben Arfa – could be back in late January
And that is that our 23 year-old whiz kid, Hatem Ben Arfa, on a season long loan from Marseilles, is hoping to make a return to Newcastle in late January, as his recovery from a double leg break progresses way ahead of schedule.
For the record it’s now been nine weeks since he broke his leg at Eastlands on October 3rd, with a seemingly harsh tackle from Dutchman Nigel de Jong, so at the end of January it will be 17 weeks since the injury.
We were thinking the earliest would be early March for the French International’s return, and only last week we put out an article so that Newcastle fans could send messages to the lad, so he would know he was not being forgotten.
But it seems Ben Arfa is surprising everybody with the speed of his recovery and is now said to be walking unaided on the injured leg again.
The Sunday Sun is reporting walking on the leg is obviously a significant step towards his goal of returning sometime in late January.
It seems that Ben Arfa will start rehabilitation tomorrow, at what is described as a world class rehabilitation center in Capbreton in the South of France.
Chris Hughton has always been reluctant to put any time-scale on Ben Arfa’s recovery, but it seems the two breaks must have been cracks in the bones, and the recovery from that kind of fracture is much quicker than a clean break of the bone – and that’s got to be good news.
And there have been no complications at all in his recovery so far, and the surgeon has already said that Ben Arfa can make a 100% recovery from this injury.
This has to be great news, not only for the player himself, but for the Chris Hughton the Newcastle club and the Newcastle fans, so we have to hope that the French International can add significantly to his four appearances for Newcastle so far this season.
We hope he can return by the end of January, because that would be great news – and it would mean we could have both Ben Arfa and Dan Gosling as almost two new players for the rest of the season.
But we also have to be very careful that we don’t rush the lad too much, but with Chris Hughton in charge, that is very unlikely to happen,as one of Chris’ many seeming strengths, is his vast common sense.
But after this news we need to hammer WBA this afternoon. :D.
Comments welcome.
15 comments so far
ytz
Dec 5, 2010 at 10:53 AM
Comment #1That is rather hard to believe. He had his leg broken in 2 places only a few months ago! I will be happy enough if we don’t rush him into action.
GeordieGerman
Dec 5, 2010 at 10:57 AM
Comment #2Good news but hard to believe, unless Ben Arfa is coming to Newcastle so early as part of his Rehabilitation.
geordieal
Dec 5, 2010 at 11:04 AM
Comment #3If this is true then great news, however I would prefer he didn’t rush his comeback, last thing we want is for him to aggravate the injury or cause himself others cos he came back too soon.
Solaidback
Dec 5, 2010 at 11:14 AM
Comment #4Great news & yes I do hope its true as my son broke his upper leg bone (can’t remember the name of it) down the bones & was put in traction, for which the surgeon said would be at least 12 weeks, my son was actually out of traction within 8 weeks & back walking within 12, so bones do heal fster when you’re youngher, so maybe HBA’s age of 23 has helped him heal a lot quicker!!!!!!!!!!!!
terryrob357
Dec 5, 2010 at 11:18 AM
Comment #5ben arfa is a beast!!!!!!!
CT
Dec 5, 2010 at 11:32 AM
Comment #6Benny and Gos coming back will be awesome. Keep saying it LUCCIANO BECCHIO from LEEDS available for around £1 mill. 6ft plus, natural left foot, Strong and quick, scores goals, good technique, Was at Boca juniors with Tevez and in Barca reserves. Argentinian so Colo and Jonas must know him. Worth a punt at that money or straight swap for Best/ Lovens or Xisco who aren`t gonna figure much anyway.
Toonboy_84
Dec 5, 2010 at 11:50 AM
Comment #7More good news!
geoff777
Dec 5, 2010 at 11:58 AM
Comment #8Great news.
We’ll be so much better with HBA back.
I just checked out Gosling’s stats as I don’t really know much about the lad.
I was really surprised to find that he’s only made 15 starts for Plymouth and 18 for Everton.
So he’s only started 33 games in his professional career.
He has scored 8 goals … one against Liverpool was voted Everton’s goal of the season.
So a decent games/goals ratio for a midfielder.
Can’t wait to see HBA and Gosling in action in 2011.
HWTL
craignufc
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:08 PM
Comment #9get a few more wins before christmas and when we get these guys back will strengthen the squad.
ben arfa top player would be a top signing if we get him at the end of the season
Lew Davies
Dec 5, 2010 at 12:20 PM
Comment #10Howay the Lad 😀
Be just like a new signing in Jan.
Hope things progress well for him.
Thump
Dec 5, 2010 at 3:05 PM
Comment #11Outstanding news!
…but it’s in the Sunday Sun. Howay lads, let’s not fall for this.
baro
Dec 5, 2010 at 4:37 PM
Comment #12This is brilliant news! Just don’t rush it
kevymartins
Dec 5, 2010 at 5:29 PM
Comment #13We want oba …we want oba…we want oba back
oba martins 30 times better than lovenkrands and we dont have any other small fast pacey strickers…Who agrees??
tom tomb
Dec 5, 2010 at 8:32 PM
Comment #14Martins is cack!
gorskino10
Dec 6, 2010 at 1:28 PM
Comment #15Don’t rush him back, but im more worried how they (Arfa AND Gosling) react to playing after bad injuries, it could hold them back from challanges or attacking moves if they think they may get tackled, it happens to some players who become more scared of tackles, i just hope they can be posistive on the pitch and forget the injury they just had!