Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has confirmed that Hatem Ben Arfa will be out for two weeks after picking up a hamstring injury.
The French playmaker limped out of the 1-1 Europa League draw with Maritimo on Thursday with the muscle strain.
Initial suggestions were that Ben Arfa could be out for a longer period but Pardew has updated his condition by revealing he is only poised for a fortnight layoff.
He said: "It's not as bad as we feared, so I think a couple of weeks, but no more than that, hopefully."
Ben Arfa is likely to miss Premier League matches against Southampton, Stoke City and Wigan Athletic as well as the Europa League trip to Bordeaux.
Written by
Joe Fish
Joe Fish
