Hatem Ben Arfa has to wait until next season for Newcastle United return after suffering recovery setback

EPL : Hatem Ben Arfa (Newcastle United) – (Gettyimages)

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Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew has insisted that he will not be drawn into risking Hatem Ben Arfa after the midfielder suffered another setback in training following the injury he sustained last October.

The young Frenchman had hoped to return to action before the end of the season and it was looking likely after his recovery from the double leg break had gone well but Pardew has admitted it now looks unlikely.

“We think that’s probably not going to happen now. He’s had a little setback,” Pardew told Sky Sports.

“That’s what happens when you come back from that sort of injury, so I think that’s unlikely.”

Ben Arfa, who scored once in only four appearances since before the injury, had initially joined the Magpies on loan but in January made the move permanent despite the injury.