Newcastle midfielder Yohan Cabaye has been punished for his refusal to play for the club as Arsenal attempted to prise him out of Alan Pardew's grasp.
The 27-year-old France international was conspicuous by his absence for the first three games of the season after the Gunners tabled a £10million bid for his services on the eve of the opening weekend trip to Manchester City, giving rise to reports that he had gone on strike.
Magpies owner Mike Ashley dismissed the offer out of hand and the summer transfer window closed with the former Lille man, who was valued at around double that, still on board.
Manager Pardew had previously diplomatically declined to go into detail over the situation, but having seen Cabaye make a public apology over the stand-off earlier this week, revealed the player has been disciplined and in the process, issued a tacit confirmation.
The 52-year-old said: "He has also been disciplined for his actions this week and he accepted that in good faith, and therefore we move on now.
"As far as I'm concerned, especially on Saturday, it would be nice if our 51,000, 52,000 [fans], whatever it is, give him the support he now deserves for at least apologising for that and taking the punishment that came with it.
"That's a signal to the players here and players elsewhere as well that until the contract is signed with another club, there is a responsibility to the club you are at.
"As I say, he has accepted that in good faith and he was brilliant last week.
"He's a fantastic player, not just for us, but for France, and I know he is going to have a great season."
Cabaye returned to the starting line-up at Aston Villa last Saturday having made his first appearance of the campaign, to a mixed reaction, as a substitute during the 1-0 win over Fulham a week earlier.
Source: PA
