Alan Pardew – ‘Ben Arfa OK For Anzhi, Coloccini No Good For Astroturf’
Following the unlucky defeat at Swansea, Alan Pardew updated everybody on the fitness of Fabricio Coloccini and Hatem Ben Arfa.
The manager made it clear to the club’s official TV channel that he expects Ben Arfa to be available on Thursday but that Coloccini will be ruled out because of the astroturf pitch potentially aggravating his back injury, though he could return next Sunday for the Stoke match.
Alan Pardew;
“I think Hatem will feature on Thursday (v Anzhi) but not sure Colo will as it is on Astroturf and he’s obviously got aback injury, so that would be foolish on everybody’s part. I think there is half a chance for Colo on Sunday (v Stoke)”.
With the Russian team second favourites to win the Europa League, it would be a massive help if Hatem ben Arfa is available, even if it is only to come on for the last twenty or so minutes and have ago at them.
Things appear more complicated with Coloccini, as reports this weekend had stated he was expected to be out for at least a month, as always with these injuries we believe it when we see players back out on the pitch.
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