Newcastle United’s charismatic French midfielder, Hatem Ben Arfa is moving ever closer to a return to the first team, and Alan Pardew believes that the Wolves game on April 2nd could see the 23-year-old return to competitive action.
If that is the case it will mean that Ben Arfa will have been out of action for six months as a result of the double leg break injury that he sustained against Manchester City at the start of October. It’s a long time, and I expect that we won’t be seeing the best of Ben Arfa at all in the remainder of this season.
It’s important not to heap too much pressure and expectation on the lad. He has been out a long long time in terms of football and will need to take things steady as he eases his way back into the first team. The last thing any of us want is to run the risk of the lad suffering a setback that could see him out for a longer period.
This is another reason why it’s pretty handy that Newcastle have all but guaranteed Premier League survival. The need to throw a special player like Ben Arfa in at the deep end is greatly reduced as there is no need to resort to desperate measures to try and get points on the board in the final few weeks of the season. At least I hope that is the case anyway!
Ben Arfa has been putting in the hours on his recovery away from Tyneside, which will mean that when he returns he will only have to achieve match fitness. I say only because for pinnacles of fitness such as myself and Hatem it’s not actually that hard to do 😉
“I may look at Wolves,” said Pardew. “He’ll not be toned up, as he has been out for so long. He’s running, but he’s a good month away. You’d like to think he’s got every chance of playing against Wolves. The Stoke game is probably too soon for him.”
If Ben Arfa can make an impact upon his return then fair enough, but I’m not holding out much hope and certainly won’t be getting on his back if he takes a while to get back in the swing of things. What I will do however, is remember what he can do. Here is a reminder….
More of that and it will be worth the wait!
About toonsy
A lifelong Newcastle fan and current webmaster of this very 'blog who has the sole aim of creating a place by Newcastle United fans, for Newcastle United fans.
Ice… was that the one when he said the Toon had nae ambition so he wasn’t going to games anymore ❓
richietoon(Quote)
Ice @ 71 ❓ ❓ ❓ tell me more mate 😉
Batty beefy is only a beginner compared to wor Toonsy 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
RICHIE aye mate thats the one,but that was on workys,he hasnt been on here since like
icedog(Quote)
What did DJG say on .org anyway? I missed that?
All booked now. Up at Silverlink. so at least I have a roof for a night that’s only a brief pissed up taxi ride from the centre 😆
toonsy(Quote)
or on workys either come to think
icedog(Quote)
Plus I’m sure I’ve seen him on, just really late sometimes??
toonsy(Quote)
http://www.booking.com/city/gb/sunderland.html?aid=303948;label=sunderland-WRaoKySbKs*R3Mjdf4WMswS5158140981;ws=&gclid=CIXut92qn6cCFQEY4Qodb258Ww top hotels here 😉
batty(Quote)
Which one in Silverlink Toonsy?
richietoon(Quote)
Batts – All booked now mate so you can stop trying to force me into the deep shithole of society that is Sunderland 😆
Anyway, off to work now. **** night ahead. See ya later 🙂
toonsy(Quote)
Toonsy I think your right I think he was on 1 or 2 nights later on, maybe he isn’t up late on school nights 😀
Big Dave(Quote)
Rich – Just the Travelodge mate. At least I know what I’ll get by booking there like.
toonsy(Quote)
Ice outed poor DJG ye big bully boy 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
see ya toonsy iam off too bed soon 😉
batty(Quote)
Aye…ya’ll get crabs and salmonella 😆
We’ll get humped off Bolton anyway, one of the best teams in the league apparently 🙄 😆
richietoon(Quote)
TOONSY your just frighted of that 5mile walk with my dogs coward,you wouldnt pissed long,this might drive you to drink like
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/02/23/newcastle-united-plan-10m-move-to-sign-arsenal-striker-as-andy-carroll-replacement/
icedog(Quote)
toonsy 86 crackin birthday treat that is for the missus ,travel lodge ya tight **** 😆
batty(Quote)
DAVE nowt to de with me and ime not grassing RICHIE up like 😀
icedog(Quote)
The club want us to buy those tatty T’s Not to look like Beefy, but so we all look like Cashley’s clones. 😯 😯
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
http://www.caughtoffside.com/2011/02/23/newcastle-united-plan-10m-move-to-sign-arsenal-striker-as-andy-carroll-replacement/
icedog(Quote)
BATTY sleep well sweety 😉
icedog(Quote)
he kna’s how to treat a lass like 😆
Whey I’m offski incase batty leaves me on me own with Dave and Ice 😉 😆 cya lads 😀
richietoon(Quote)
RICHIE tw@t ime off too
icedog(Quote)
night rich 🙂
batty(Quote)
Richie you cheeky ***** and to think I thought you were a decent fella 🙄
Ice Bendtner I dont think so 😆
Big Dave(Quote)
Neet lads you too Richie 😉
Big Dave(Quote)
DAVE doesnt bloody what to,
ime off morrow m8
icedog(Quote)
😉
Big Dave(Quote)
Hey its a hotel booking service, bolten are ***** but are def a hard team to score against
We need to get an early goal – I have the faith 😉
4411(Quote)
I’d have Bendner, but he’ll cost alot more than £10m
Arsenal not stupid, they know how much we got for Judas.
They will more than likely want £15-20M.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Bentner would be a disaster – he ain’t any better than best, shola – in fact he’s even worse
4411(Quote)
And I dont think we will pay that, do you?
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Not sure about that 4411 but you may be right.
Beardsleys Boots(Quote)
Anyone still up?
OHurley(Quote)
Bb – bencher is *****, on train with load of **** supported and even they hate him !
4422(Quote)
Can’t wait for Ben to come back now like, get a big man in the summer and give Benny a free role just behind him. 😆
Would anyone take Cisse? On a free it’s a no brainer.
AndrewNUFC(Quote)
I would take Taiwo as well Andrew, i hear he’s also a free 😉
dan4toon(Quote)
Regarding Benter, we should remember what the club have been saying about getting the right sort of people in with the right sort of atitude, does he have the right sort of attitude? Saying he should play every game?
Benter in a dressing room with Nolan, Smith, Barton et al….
Can’t see it myself, more trouble than it’s worth. Plus, I think he’s absolute ****
I Love Mike(Quote)
Stardust(Quote)
http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sleep001.gif
Stardust(Quote)
[url=http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys.php][img]http://www.freesmileys.org/smileys/smiley-sleep001.gif[/img][/url]
Stardust(Quote)
Stardust – You need to go on the link and find the smiley you want and copy the html code over to here 🙄 😆
toonsy(Quote)
Not the forum code, the one below it.
toonsy(Quote)
😆
Josh-NUFC(Quote)