Ben Arfa Boost For Newcastle | Creativity Stats

Ben Arfa will be key in Newcastle’s attempt to climb up the table.

Newcastle have welcomed Hatem Ben Arfa back to full training after more than two months on the sidelines, Alan Pardew has confirmed.

Newcastle have struggled with injuries this season but the return of Ben Arfa means Pardew now has the luxury of naming a full strength side.

Pardew told Sky Sports: ”We are looking well and Hatem Ben Arfa has come back. I am sure our fans are looking forward to hearing that and we had our full squad training which is great.”

Ben Arfa is unlikely to travel with the squad to Ukraine where they face a tough task of qualifying for the last 16 of the Europa League.

The Frenchman will instead be lined up to return against Southampton on Sunday where Newcastle face bottom half rivals Southampton with both teams desperate to move away from the bottom three.

Ben Arfa last played on December 10 in the 2-1 defeat to Fulham at Craven Cottage, aggravating his existing hamstring problem.

Want to know what you’ve been missing Newcastle supporters? Hatem Ben Arfa’s 12/13 creativity stats are below: