Source: FOOTYMAD
It's Time To Stop The Talking - Ben Arfa Needs To Prove It
The agent of Hatem Ben Arfa insists his player is nearing full recovery from injury ... but the last time the midfielder returned he didn't last 30 minutes. Ben Arfa could play when Aston Villa visit St James’ Park (Saturday, September 17) his first competitive match since breaking his leg in a clash with Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong last October. Simon Stainrod: “He is training again now and it is looking good for him to be fit to play within the next 10 to 14 days so I would imagine that he would be back in Premier League action this month. “Hatem is raring to go again because he has worked really hard on his fitness since he broke his leg and was really frustrated that he had to miss the start of the season after getting an ankle injury on the tour of America. “Newcastle fans have only had a glimpse of what he can do but he will be desperate to make up for lost time and I am sure he will put smiles on lots of faces. "If people stop kicking him he will be fine but he is not the sort of person who would be mentally scarred by what has happened in the past.” Ben Arfa joined the Magpies last summer, but has made only four appearances for the club so far. He carried out his rehabilitation work in his French homeland but he has been sidelined since picking up an ankle knock during a pre-season friendly against Sporting Kansas City in his side's first match of their US tour.
