Hatem Ben Arfa vows to stay positive on road to recovery

Newcastle’s Hatem Ben Arfa has vowed to “stay positive” on his road to recovery from the broken leg he sustained against Manchester City on Sunday.

The 23-year-old is expected to be out of action for around six months after Nigel De Jong’s challenge fractured the France international’s fibula and tibia.

Ben Arfa, who is currently on loan from Ligue 1 side Marseille, says he is determined to make a return after his lengthy rehabilitation.

“I’ll be back,” he said. “I will be working hard to play again in a black-and-white shirt and to perform again for the brilliant Newcastle fans.”

“It will be a long road back, but I have to stay positive.”

Ben Arfa had already made an impact at St James’ Park thanks to his stunning winner against Everton at Goodison Park last month.

And close friend and advisor Simon Strainrod revealed the winger was devastated by the incident.

“Hatem is in bits over the injury, but he will look to get his operation out of the way and then it’s the road back to recovery,” said Stainrod.

“He will be doing all of his rehab at Newcastle and hopes to be back as quickly as possible. That’s the sort of lad he is.

“It just shows his character when he sits up and claps the fans as he goes off.

“It shows the feeling he has for the Newcastle fans, and I don’t think that many players would have done that in that situation.”