Hatem Ben Arfa faces being frozen out of Newcastle United's preseason.
The Evening Chronicle says Ben Arfa is not in the running for the first pre-season friendly of the summer at Oldham Athletic.
Ex-Lyon star Ben Arfa has also been assessed by United's new head of fitness Dave Billows. He is thought to have returned to the club's Benton base out of condition and not thought to be in the squad for New Zealand for games with Sydney FC and Wellington Phoenix.
The ex-Marseille man wasn't even involved in United's trip to Tynemouth beach last week for the traditional pre-season workout on the coast and is yet to be handed an official squad number.
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