But why has the player gone off the boil, when last season the likes of Liverpool, Spurs and Arsenal were queuing up to sign him?
There was talk of a £15m transfer to Anfield, yet now the Frenchman can't even get in the Newcastle team.
Pardew boasted "every player at this club has improved since I came here", but Ben Arfa is one who obviously hasn't.
And you can add Shola Ameobi and Steven Taylor to that list.
Alan Pardew: "It is an important few months for Hatem, and a few more players.
“It is because he has had an up and down season and it needs to end well. I think he is focused on that and we hope it does end well.
“Hatem is back in the squad and he’s looked a bit brighter and sharper, which is good news for us."
So what is his future? I don't think there will be interest from the two North London clubs like there was last season, and although Brendon Rodgers is a massive fan, could Hatem get into the current Liverpool team?
And we can forget £15m.
PREMIER LEAGUE FIXTURES
Sunday March 23
13:30 Tottenham v Southampton
16:00 Aston Villa v Stoke City
Tuesday March 25
19:45 Arsenal v Swansea City
19:45 Man Utd v Manchester City
19:45 Newcastle United v Everton
Wednesday March 26
19:45 West Ham United v Hull City
20:00 Liverpool v Sunderland
