Ben Arfa in line for Newcastle return

Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa could be in line for his first Barclays Premier League appearance since October 3 last year as Blackburn arrive on Tyneside tomorrow.

The France international played 70 minutes of Tuesday night’s 4-3 Carling Cup win at Nottingham Forest, his first competitive action since breaking his leg in two places, and although manager Alan Pardew does not want to rush him back, he may figure at some point against Rovers.