Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that Hatem Ben Arfa will be out for at least two weeks after picking up a hamstring injury against Maritimo.
Ben Arfa was forced off in the first half of Newcastle's Europa League match with the problem and will definitely miss this weekend's game against Southampton.
Pardew believes that the injury is not a long-term concern but refused to be drawn on a timeline for the French international's return.
He told reporters: "Ben Arfa has a hamstring problem which will definitely keep him out of Sunday and probably next week.
"From then on, we don't know, but it's not a tear. It'll certainly keep him out for the immediate future, that's for sure."
The Magpies ensured qualification for the Europa League knockout stages despite slipping to a 1-1 draw against the Portuguese side at St James' Park.
Written by
Liam Power
Liam Power
