Alan Pardew said at the start of the season that the midfielder's suspension from European football for three games was "a big blow", but Ben Arfa has yet to make an appearance for Newcastle United in the Europa League this season.
While Pardew is in desperate need of a morale-boosting win, Ben Arfa is expected to be kept fresh for Sunday’s game at Southampton.
Alan Pardew: “If we had a fans’ vote, he’d probably be our player of the season so far.
“That might be because he’s sat all these games out. That might have something to do with it.”