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Hatem Ben Arfa's hopes of a return to one of his old Ligue 1 haunts look set to be dashed – but there is light at the end of the tunnel as far as his Premier League return is concerned.

United fans are desperate to see the playmaker back out there, with his creativity a big miss in recent matches.

And Alan Pardew is hopeful that his talented Frenchman will be back for the trip to Fulham in six days’ time.

Ben Arfa – who has been the player of the season so far for Newcastle – picked up his second player of the month award of the campaign today after Chronicle readers voted him main man for October.

The former Marseille and Lyon ace had been looking forward to the trip to Bordeaux to help the Magpies nail top spot in Group D.

But Pardew is not convinced he has fully recovered from the hamstring injury that resulted in him being withdrawn after just 40 minutes against Maritimo – a blow that has cost United dearly in recent Premier League games at Southampton and Stoke.

Pardew told the Chronicle: “Hatem won’t have a chance for Bordeaux unfortunately.

“But I do think he’ll have a chance for Fulham.

Toe injury victim Gabriel Obertan will miss a return to former club Bordeaux, but has a chance for Fulham.

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