Newcastle United Football Club News

• Nickname:Magpies
• Founded:1881
• Manager:Alan Pardew

• Ground:St James' Park
• Capacity:52,193

Hughton devastated by Ben Arfa blow

04 Oct 2010 - 16:09:13

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Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton has spoken of his devastation at losing Hatem Ben Arfa to a broken leg.

The France forward is facing a lengthy spell on the sidelines after suffering a double leg fracture during Sunday's 2-1 defeat at Manchester City.

Ben Arfa, who joined the Magpies from Marseille during the summer, was left stricken by a Nigel de Jong tackle at Eastlands.

"I am absolutely devastated for Hatem," admitted Hughton. "To get injured at any time is bad enough, but to suffer such an horrendous injury as a double leg break is sickening for the lad.

"After playing only a handful of games for us, scoring a cracking goal at Everton and doing fantastically well, it's a cruel and devastating blow for Hatem, and for the club as a whole.

"All the lads are devastated for him as well. I know many of them have already been in touch with him to check he's doing okay, and that's great.

"On the plus side, I am delighted to hear from the hospital that the operation this morning was successful and now it's just a case of nursing him back to fitness."