Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew is wary of overly criticizing Hatem Ben Arfa.

Ben Arfa came off the bench against Wolverhampton Wanderers last weekend but could not find one of his magic moments to seal the points.

Pardew told the Evening Chronicle: "When Hatem goes in-field, he can't take people on in front of our back four.

"I don't want to criticise him, as I think he's had enough of that.

"I think he's trying his hardest to do it in the right areas."