Source: PA
Ben Arfa back in April - Pardew
Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has backed Hatem Ben Arfa to be in contention for the Barclays Premier League clash with Wolves on April 2.
Ben Arfa, who joined the Magpies last summer on loan from Marseille, has been out injured since October, when a challenge from Manchester City's Nigel de Jong left him with a double leg fracture.
The French midfielder signed a permanent deal at St James' Park in January, though, and now Pardew believes the home game against Wolves in just over five weeks' time is a realistic target for Ben Arfa's return to action.
"You'd like to think he's got every chance of playing against Wolves," Pardew told the Chronicle.
"The Stoke game (on March 19) is probably too soon for him.
"He will not be toned up as he has been out for so long. He's running, but he's a good month away."
