Ben Arfa missed the start of last term with an ankle injury and also did not start the previous campaign as his long, drawn-out move from Marseille interrupted his pre-season preparations in 2010.
Pardew knows he must get his decision just right with Ben Arfa as the French playmaker has suffered serious injuries in the last two years, suffering an ankle problem and his horrific double leg break after a horror tackle from Nigel de Jong.
Asked if Ben Arfa would play against Neale Cooper’s League One side, Pardew said: “Possibly, but he is way behind and for a number of reasons.”
Alan Pardew: “We are looking forward to it.
"It is another game and the guys who did not get the main bulk of it in Holland will do tomorrow.
“Shola (ameobi) will play and Willo (Mike Williamson) too.
“Then we can go into Cardiff with everybody ready to go.”