Newcastle United boss Alan Pardew feels Demba Ba and Papiss Cisse have missed the creativity of Hatem Ben Arfa this season.

Ben Arfa's campaign has been plagued by injury so far this term.

Pardew told the Evening Chronicle: "In this particular year they have missed the creativeness of Hatem Ben Arfa for periods and Cabaye.

"A lot of goals which Cisse scored last year were assisted by Cabaye and I think he has suffered mainly from his absence.

"Demba has too but can they play as a pair?

"Of course they can, are they playing well at the moment as a pair? No.

"They are probably not but we have to keep working at it because they are two big assets for us."