It's par for the course these days, as Moussa Sissoko, Loic Remy and Mathieu Debuchy have all returned to France in recent weeks having been injured - allegedly - on the traing pitch.
Has Alan Pardew "lost the dressing room", as reporters claim?
Apparently Hatem Ben Arfa has, according to the official report, a thigh injury. But his arguments with Pardew are well documented.
Ben Arfa wants to leave in the summer, if Pardew is still at the club, and - if the truth was known - he is not the only one.
Loic Remy and Mathieu Debuchy have already claimed they want to play Champions League football next season.
Ben Arfa flew out to Paris last Thursday after being ruled out of the home clash with Swansea City.
The Chronicle understands United approved his request to return to France after a series of stormy encounters with Pardew.
Ben Arfa has been involved in two dressing- room bust-ups in the last two games he has been involved in.
Pardew indicated United will learn whether Ben Arfa’s season is over in the next few days.
Ben Arfa’s verbal outbursts have not gone down well at Newcastle and Pardew is under pressure from senior players not to use him again this term.
Alan Pardew: “I am low for the team and I am low for my staff."