Hatem Ben Arfa's recovery back on track after secret operation

27 January 2011 01:43
Road to recovery: The French international was crocked in October after a challenge with Manchester City's Nigel De Jong[LNB] Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa has undergone a secret operation to save his career.[LNB]The highly rated France starlet, who has won eight caps for Les Bleus suffered a double leg fracture in a challenge with Manchester City midfielder Nigel de Jong last October.[LNB]Ben Arfa, 23, had surgery immediately afterwards, however complications set in that would have prevented his shin bones from healing properly - and brought his career to a premature end.[LNB]But Paris St Germain club doctor Eric Rolland operated on the playmaker at the French capital's Pitie Salpetriere hospital in November - and Ben Arfa is now close to a return.[LNB]Newcastle have since paid Marseille £5m to sign Ben Arfa on a permanent deal until 2015 after an initial spell on loan.[LNB]'Ben Arfa's advisors called on me to do the surgery,' Dr Rolland said.  'He needed a second operation in mid November.[LNB]'He had a problem area which could have become infected, and prevented his broken bones from knitting together once more.[LNB]'It had to be sorted out urgently, and we thought it best to operate once more.  Since then he has got away from the problem.[LNB]'The Clairefontaine rehab centre is monitoring him very closely, and all this will not delay him from returning to playing football.[LNB]'He got injured three and a half months ago, and his recovery is on schedule.'   [LNB]Ben Arfa's agent Michel Ouazine added: 'The main thing is for Hatem to be back playing by March. He had an inflammation, and the second operation was justified.[LNB]'Hatem is philosophical, and not impatient.  He must not rush back.[LNB]'He has taken things well, as there is nothing he can do about the situation.'[LNB] Stevenage fan punched Laird over 'mistreatment of girlfriend'Northern Exposure: Joey Barton's form has earned him a second chance with EnglandNewcastle to refuse Birmingham's £1.5m offer for striker Ameobi[LNB]  Explore more:People: Hatem Ben Arfa Places: Newcastle, Paris, France

Source: Daily_Mail