Ben Arfa nears Newcastle return

Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa could be in line for a shock return to action this week, as he returns from a 12 month spell on the sidelines from injury.

Ben Arfa suffered a leg break at the hands of Nigel De Jong nearly a year ago in the match with Man City.

Alan Pardew admitted that the Frenchman is nearly back to full fitness: "He will bring a creative force to the team that is different to what we have.

"He is probably different to a lot of players in the Premier League. He's elusive on the ball.

"What's important for him is to make sure he grabs the work-rate that we have got in the team.

"If he grabs that, he's got a good chance of getting into this team."