Magpies boss insists French star must graft to regain his place in the team.
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Newcastle boss Alan Pardew has told his French winger Hatem Ben Arfa he must work harder if he wants to regain his place in the side according to The Guardian.
Ben Arfa has impressed many since his arrival at St. James’ Park with some dazzling performances from the wing.
That has attracted the attention of a number of clubs, with Liverpool said to be at the front of the queue of teams set to make a swoop for the player next summer.
Pardew however has provided Ben Arfa with some stern words after being left unimpressed with the player’s condition following his return from France. The winger was undergoing rehabilitation on a troublesome hamstring tear suffered in early December.
‘I have to say Hatem’s conditioning has disappointed me this week, and we will be working hard in the next few days to get him up to speed because he lacks a bit of fitness for sure.
‘I just think it’s something we need to push him on at. His upper body strength is there but we want to work on his general fitness. I think that needs to improve’, said Pardew.
Ben Arfa’s condition has ruled him out of Newcastle’s trip to Swansea on Saturday.