Great see Hatem Ben Arfa back in Toon
They often say that seeing is believing in football, not least in the world of Newcastle United - but this week has been very much a sight for sore eyes thanks to the return of Hatem Ben Arfa.
You'd be forgiven if you'd almost forgotten about the classy French international given so many false dawns in his long and painful comeback from a double leg break.
After all, there's been claims of January, February and March with people prepared to chuck a guess in on when the Frenchman would be ready to return.
However, according to the manager Alan Pardew, it will be May 1 at Anfield in a fixture that hardly needs any more pre-match billing already with you know who waiting for us on Merseyside.
Ben Arfa is without a doubt a top notch player and to see him driving into the training ground this week certainly gave me a bit of comfort in what has been an up and down season.
Andy Carroll may well be history.
But while I still sometimes find it hard to believe we are living in the same season that started asking the Geordie lad about his hopes and dreams having been handed number 9 - we can still rest assured that in Ben Arfa, we have a player that can turn games and win games - providing he makes a full recovery from the horror injury inflicted by Nigel De Jong.
What doesn't destroy you only makes you stronger.
They are words that we can only pray will come true for the French ace.
When he arrived on loan I only felt that Newcastle fans were only just starting to appreciate his talents.
He now comes back as all ours having signed permanently from Marseille.
If he can make an impact in the final few games of the season, then no player would deserve a bit of glory more than him.
He's got goals in him, he's got the spark we have lacked at times and he's got the ability to get people off their seats.
The prospect of Ben Arfa linking up with Kevin Nolan, Joey Barton and Cheick Tiote also makes you wonder just how strong Newcastle United's midfield could be next season.
For now, the countdown is on for Ben Arfa to go in for that first meaty challenge in the Premier League and spring back to his feet like he did before his shocking injury.
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Lee Ryder - Proudly born and bred on Tyneside, the Chronicle's chief sports writer has followed the fortunes of the club over the last three decades as a Toon fan and football writer.
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All we need now are 3 top class centre forwards, as the current crop are all shyt.
Im hooping Almander who is similar to our current crop isnt the replacement Pardew is going to fob off on us.
i hope he makes a full recovery but i can't think of many players that have after such an injury. as for AC playing against us, which muppet let that happen? even if we did sell him surely that bit could of been sorted out if they really wanted him?
good luck to Ben though i hope the refs look after him a bit better this time. I'd also like to add i beleive if any player breaks another mans leg, arm etc., they should be charged by the police, pending further investigation.
araon ramsey has made a full recovery from the same sort of injury so i see no reason ben afra wont do the same.. very excited for next season
We will be lucky to get one good season out of him before he is sold! following carroll, jose, tiote and barton out the door!!