Another Ben Arfa return date, and injury news

From today's Chronicle: http://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/newc...-at-aston-villa-72703-28477281/#ixzz1IpwmE03R

JOSE ENRIQUE is in line to make his return from a hamstring problem at Aston Villa this Sunday.

And it has emerged that Hatem Ben Arfa has pencilled in the May 1 visit to Liverpool to make his comeback from the horrific double leg break sustained at Manchester City in October.

However, Toon boss Alan Pardew is keen to get Enrique back up and running on Sunday after his previous return to the first-team picture lasted just 23 minutes at Stoke before a recurrence of his hamstring problem.

Pardew told the Chronicle today: “Jose trained yesterday, and I don’t think he’ll be a problem for Villa.”

The United boss discovered yesterday that Leon Best will be out for the season, but was philosophical about his ins and outs in the treatment room.

He went on: “You lose Leon Best and you gain Hatem Ben Arfa. That’s basically where we are.

“I don’t think Hatem will be involved for a while, and Liverpool will possibly be his first inclusion in my thinking.

“He’s eager to join in, but we’ve got to be a little bit cautious with him.

“At some point, he’ll join in full training, and we’ll take it from there. I had an inkling last week all was not well with Leon.

“It’s best to get him right and ready to rumble next season.”

Best will go under the knife tomorrow for his second ankle operation of the season to cap a frustrating campaign.

Pardew added: “I think we’ve got more than enough to see us through to the season finish.

“Shola (Ameobi) and Peter (Lovenkrands) have played brilliantly.”

Frustratingly for Newcastle, Stephen Ireland is fit enough for first-team selection but is ineligible to face his parent club Villa.

Pardew said: “ People might think Stephen’s been here since January and not done anything, but he’s trained well, and the team’s trained well.

“Cheik Tiote will be back for Manchester United, but we’re a little short for Villa.”

Returning from the sin bin will be Ryan Taylor, and the Scouser comes into consideration for the trip to Villa Park after a three-game ban.

Pardew said that, with Tiote and Kevin Nolan out, James Perch would have been a candidate for the holding role against the Brummies had he not also picked up a suspension while playing for the reserves.

He said: “We’ve lost James Perch, as well, but Ryan Taylor comes in.

“It’s unlucky for James, because he had a chance of starting at the weekend.

“He’s disappointed, but he’ll get another opportunity.

“I’m not going to give too much away about my team.”


So Ben Arfa is targeting Liverpool away (hope he skins Carroll and goes on to score), Enrique is fit for Villa, Ireland is finally fit but ineligible, so will probably play a part v Man U. Raylor is back from suspension (I expect he will go into the team for Nolan), Perch was considered for the holding role against Villa () but is thankfully suspended. And Best is confirmed to have an operation tomorrow which will mark the end of his season.

Teams for Villa, with the latest news? I'm thinking:

Harper
Simpson Willo Colo Enrique
Raylor Barton Guthrie Jonas
Shola Lover

Again I would start Ranger but on this occasion Lover and Shola probably warrant a place in the team, having each scored and assisted on Saturday. I dont think Ferguson will start, Pardew has often said he feels it is too soon for him and you get the feeling he didnt really want to play him yet. Thoughts?

 

Harper
Simpson Willo Colo Jose
Guti Barton Guthrie Ferguson
Shola Lover

Is my preferred line up. Pards will probably go for the other suggestion though, with Raylor playing. Which I wouldn't mind either.
Another date for Benny then! Not too optimistic, considering the dates for everyone and everything else we've been getting.
Will we great if he can come back with a bang and help us to thrash the ****ing scousers!!

 

Perch was considered for the holding role against Villa () but is thankfully suspended.

PHEW!!!

 

I agree

That is the same team that I had in my mind when I read the article, but I hope that Ranger comes on and scores our 4th.

Ferguson is very young and needs to be allowed time to gradually develop. He is not as physically strong as Carroll or Ranger and so Pardew must be careful with him. I have high hopes for the lad, but would like to see him get a bit of matchtime playing as a winger.

As for HBA, I will be happy if he makes a couple of appearances from the bench for the last 20 minutes in games.

I have a good feeling about Ireland. If he gets his head right and is made to feel wanted and appreciated by the club and fans, I believe that he could really shine for us.

 

If he comes back in for the Liverpool game sky will be loving it.

3-2 Liverpool after 70 mins. Ben Arfa comes off the bench and scores after 80 mins. 3-3.

89th minute and Ben Arfa goes on a mazy run and shoots from 25 yards, Reina tips it onto the bar and out for a corner. Joey Barton takes the corner and Mandy Carroll loops a header into the far corner of the net of his own keeper. 4-3 Newcastle.

 

Be great if Ben Arfa could come back against Liverpool

for the line up
I would start same as Wolves really with Enrique left back Barton in centre and Fergi Right mid

 

Yes PLEASE

 

This might not be popular but i kinda have a slight hope that Ben Arfa doesnt play this season. there is way too much speculation on when he is going to come back, and that is only going to put pressure on a return. when you have pressure like that its easy to put someone in when they are not ready. id rather him not play and then be sound for next season than have him play and cause damage that could put him out for the start of next season or worse, just for the sake of a few games coming into the run in, i have a feeling we will be safe soon so its just not worth the risk

 

I know what you mean, but it would be nice to see him get 20 mins at SJP just so that the fans can cheer him and sing his name. I'm really looking forward to seeing the guy play next season.

 

I'd love him to get 10 minutes against Man Utd and set up Shola for a header.

 

Lets hope Ben Arfa makes it a good return hope he returns stong and at his best like Bobby Zamora has for Fulham, Like he hasn't even missed a game he is, Good to see you have Jose Enrique back as he is important.

 

Lets hope if Raylor starts he doesnt **** up again

 

With Ben Arfa I don't think 4 weeks training after 6 months out is anywhere near enought to consider putting him in the squad v Liverpool. The first couple of weeks at least will be light training, then that only gives a fortnight of anything even approaching full training. Maybe Chelsea (a) and West Brom (h) is a bit more realistic. The key thing is that he's for next season.

 

** fit for next season

 

Yep, I'd go with that too

 

On James Perch

"He said: “We’ve lost James Perch, as well, but Ryan Taylor comes in.

“It’s unlucky for James, because he had a chance of starting at the weekend.
"

ever be relieved?

 

I'd personally like to see Ben Arfa completely rested, at the most give him a 10 minute spell at the end of the WBA game to give us all a taster/reminder of what he can do. In a sort of "To be continued..." cliffhanger for next season

 

He'll have been training for months under medical supervision. He hasn't just been sitting with his feet up for 6 months.

Plus, according to his supervising physician, he's actually more fit now than he was before the leg break apparently.

 

If that's where we are, keep up the good work lads!

 

Yeah it is best to only ease him back into the team, Don't want to rush him, There is no point in doing so.