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Boss Hopes French Fancy Hatem
Written by Newcastle Utd
Alan Pardew tips Hatem Ben Arfa to play a key role for Newcastle in the final weeks of the season, and possibly receive a French call-up too
By Anthony Marshall - Newcastle United Club Reporter
Alan Pardew has tipped Hatem Ben Arfa to play a big part for Newcastle between now and the end of the season - and possibly even break into France's Euro 2012 squad.
The forward has made 19 appearances this season for the Magpies, but only five of those have been in the starting line-up for Premier League fixtures.
He came off the bench at half-time last weekend against Sunderland and was outstanding in a wide right role as United came from behind to secure a point in the Tyne-Wear derby.
Now Pardew hopes Ben Arfa can finish the campaign on a high, starting at Arsenal on Monday night, and believes the 25-year-old can add to his eight international caps for Les Bleus.
"You have to deserve the starts. You have to earn the right to deserve to start," said the boss.
"And he (Ben Arfa) deserved the right to come on at half-time (against Sunderland) because his training has picked up significantly.
"Around the corner for Hatem is the European Championships, and I wouldn't rule him out of that. So if I'm not ruling him out of that, I'm not going to rule him out of my team.
"He's beggining to understand what you need to do to play at Newcastle. He was magnificent on Sunday, and there is a good chance he could play on Monday night."