The French international was dropped again for yesterday’s dull goalless draw against fellow relegation stragglers West Brom.
And while the Hull manager denied the pair had a bust-up after last week’s defeat at Old Trafford he admitted he had not yet decided to keep Ben Arfa for the rest of the season.
Newcastle fans were gutted when Alan Pardew shipped him out to Humberside, and getting him back may not be a bad thing.
BUT ... as well as falling out with Bruce ... he has fallen out with Pardew too!
Steve Bruce (talking to the Mirror): “It’s not true about a bust-up.
“Of course he was not happy about being taken off against Manchester United.
“But he has to be treated like everyone else and win his spurs back by training hard and working hard and trying to get himself back into the team.
“It’s disappointing for me. But I have to run a team and pick people on merit who work for the team.
“There’s got to be a work-rate and attitude that makes sure you do something for the team. For me the team is bigger than any individual even though something like today might have been his moment.
“He didn’t earn enough at Old Trafford to be in the substitutes against Everton in midweek or against West Brom . The rest is up to him now.
“He has to roll his sleeves up and work for the cause. There’s no disputing he’s got ability. But ability isn’t enough at this level.
“We’ll see what December and January bring and have a sit-down with him and see where we all are.”