Hatem Ben Arfa Makes Comeback From Double Leg Break

Newcastle United’s Hatem Ben Arfa has made his return to full training with the squad after missing six months with a broken leg. According to the French midfielder, he very nearly didn’t make it at all after the leg became badly infected following surgery, leading to fears that doctors might be forced to amputate - obviously ending his career as a professional footballer. Fortunately, a second surgery was enough to save Ben Arfa’s leg, and he’s now re-joined the side after extensive rehab work in France.

Ben Arfa, 24, joined Newcastle over the summer from Lyon on loan and had only managed four appearances with Newcastle (scoring against Everton) before a Nigel de Jong tackle broke his right leg on October 3rd. Despite the injury and with his career in question, the Magpies made the deal permanent in January, which according to Ben Arfa has only motivated him to try harder for the club:

As the fall-out from Nigel de Jong breaking Hatem Ben Arfa’s leg grows, fall-out which includes the midfielder being dropped from his national team, it should come as no surprise that Netherlands teammate Mark van Bommel has been one of the first to defend his midfield partner.

The Bayern captain, today, called the de Jong controversy “very frustrating” and the two broken legs in six months caused by de Jong “very unfortunate.”

Newcastle United’s Hatem Ben Arfa was diagnosed with breaks to his tibia and fibula, injuries resulting from a Sunday tackle from Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong. Today, the French international underwent successful surgery to repair the breaks, with manager Chris Hughton labeling the procedure as a success.

The first blow-back against Nigel de Jong has come from an unexpected source, one which had underwritten some of the midfielder’s previous, aggressive behavior.

After breaking Hatem Ben Arfa’s leg on Sunday, de Jong has been dropped by Netherlands’ coach Bert van Marwijk from the nation’s upcoming Euro 2012 qualifiers.

Describing the challenge on Hatem Ben Arfa one “that didn’t need to be made,” Newcastle United manager Chris Hughton said his dressing room’s thoughts were with his injured attacker, who had been taken to a local Manchester hospital for what was suspected to be a broken left leg.

Hughton also said that Fabricio Collocini felt a slight twinge in his groin, hence taking him out of the match in the first half.

The Marseille loanee was on the bad end of a Nigel De Jong, third minute challenge, immediately collapsing as the Dutch midfielder slid into his legs. De Jong’s boot caught the French international’s leg, the attacker eventually stretched from the pitch while receiving oxygen.

Immediately taken to a local hospital, Ben Arfa’s injury left Hughton convinced his player had suffered a broken leg: