HBA set to finally return from Injury

http://www.shieldsgazette.com/sport...wcastle-comeback-against-sunderland-1-5563476

HATEM Ben Arfa’s closing in on a comeback for Newcastle United – against Sunderland.

The forward was ruled out for the season last month.

But specialists have told the club that Ben Arfa – who has been troubled with a hamstring problem since November – does not need an operation.

The 26-year-old was put through his paces on the pitch at St James’s Park before yesterday’s dramatic 1-0 win over Fulham.

And United manager Alan Pardew has revealed he has a chance of being involved in Sunday’s Tyne-Wear derby.

“What’s happened with Hatem is that the scan has shown that we’ve got some scar tissue still in the hamstring,” Pardew told the Gazette.“He’s showing no ill-effects.

“We’ve sent him to three experts, mainly a French expert, who’s been looking after him. He thinks that he’s 100 per cent.

“We’re now treating him as that. He’s running. There could be a cameo as soon as Sunderland.

“He’s got a week’s work. If he gets through that work, then he could be involved.”

Ben Arfa was one of the few Newcastle players to shine in the first few months of the campaign, with his form coming on the back of a superb late-season run in Pardew’s side last term.

And Pardew can’t wait to have him back in his squad, such is his ability to win a game with a moment of brilliance.

However, having seen Ben Arfa make two abortive comebacks from the injury, suffered in a Europa League group game against Maritimo, he is erring on the side of caution.

And Ben Arfa will be asssed this week.

“It’d be a massive bonus for us, but it’s still too early to call,” added Pardew. “After the last time, we said he wouldn’t play again this seaons. Half of me thought he might.

“I just wanted to clear his mind and see how he reacted. Hopefully, we’ll get a nice bonus.”

 

It's great to see that Benni is close to a return now.
We've missed him big time in my opinion.

I can see HBA playing a small part against Benfica too, maybe bringing him on for the last 20 mins.

 

We'll be winning 2-1. Things will be getting tense. Cisse has been spooning chances all game and it looks like it will be so near yet so far. HBA will then go on a Bolton-esque run with about 10 minutes left and score to make it 3-1. The game will go into extra time. We'll be in the last minute of extra time, Cabaye and Marv have been reduced to crawling on all fours for the past 20 minutes and we're all getting that sick, tense excitement of penalties building when, with the final kick of the game... Cisse! Winner. Semi final here we come.

 

Well for me it all depends on how he trains this week. If he suffers no ill effects then I would give him half an hour against Benfica, not sure whether that's the first half hour of the game to give us a lift and hopefully nab an early goal or two, or the last half hour if we're chasing one or two goals as long as we haven't conceded. Part of me would prefer him train all week and start against the mackems. If was gonna break down again in a game I'd rather it be against the mackems than Benfica...and subsequently miss the derby.

We've certainly missed the little fella....big style and I for one cannot wait to see him back on the pitch.

 

Cracking news this.

 

Be great to have him back. We'll always have this with Benni I fear, quite fragile. I just think he is worth it because of his talent. I can see a cameo on Thursday if we are 1-0 with 20mins left.

 

can the week get any better (accepting that Sunday is the start of the week)?

 

It'll be great to see him back, not sure who he'd replace at the minute though seeing as the front four are playing well as a unit.

 

Met him on Saturday in Jesmond. Funnily enough he didn't answer my question on whether he would be coming to Liverpool.

 

It will get worse first.
Since I don't see how Santon can escape a lengthy spell after his hamstring pull(as diagnosed by myself from behind my computer screen)

 

If Haidara is back, I can easily allow Santon the time he needs to recover.

 

I'm play him as an impact sub vs Benfica and Sunderland.

I'd love to see him rip out both teams arseholes and score a winner.

 

I think he'd be sent off if he did that.