Hatem Ben Arfa will miss the start of Newcastle United's Europa League campaign as he serves a suspension dating back to 2010.

Alan Pardew and his players will fly out to Greece on Wednesday for the first leg of their play-off clash with Atromitos, but the Frenchman will not be with them as he starts a three-match ban incurred during his time at his former club Marseille.

The 25-year-old, whose late penalty against Tottenham Hotspur on Saturday evening got Newcastle off to a winning start in the Premier League, was sent off in Marseille's 2-1 home defeat by Benfica in March 2010 which saw them miss out on a place in the Europa League quarter-finals. Ben Arfa joined Newcastle on loan later that year and has had no opportunity since to serve his ban.

He will miss both legs of tomorrow's tie against the Greeks and the first game of the group stage, if Newcastle progress. However Ben Arfa, like several senior colleagues, might have been rested for the Athens fixture anyway, with Pardew knowing he will have to manage his resources if the squad is to compete on all fronts.

Newcastle earned their return to the continental stage by finishing fifth last season and are determined to establish themselves in the upper reaches of the Premier League while attempting an extended European campaign.

Haris Vuckic and Mehdi Abeid may be given a chance while some of their more experienced team-mates miss out in preparation for Saturday's league trip to Chelsea. Pardew's side will play twice inside 48 hours after failing in their request to have the game at Stamford Bridge rearranged. PA