Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew hopes to have Hatem Ben Arfa available for their clash with Fulham.

The 25-year-old France international, one of the few Magpies to shine on a regular basis during a difficult start to the campaign, has missed the last four games with a hamstring injury.

"If he is fit enough to play, it would be important because he's a good player - a great player," Pardew said.

"If there was one defender to beat and I had to choose a player too take him on beat him, it would be Hatem. That's his real strength."