Hughton - Ben Arfa upbeat

Chris Hughton claims Hatem Ben Arfa is in good spirits and keen to press on with his rehabilitation.

The Newcastle winger, who is on a season-long loan from Marseille, is currently sidelined with a broken leg.

He suffered a double fracture during a Premier League meeting with Manchester City, with a hefty challenge from Nigel de Jong leaving him facing up to a lengthy spell on the treatment table.

The Frenchman is understandably disappointed to have seen his season severely disrupted, but Magpies boss Hughton insists the 23-year-old is determined to be back in action as soon as possible.

He told Sky Sports News: "He's in good spirits. It's obviously a very difficult time for him. He's a young man that's going through an injury, and a length of injury that he hasn't had before.

"But he's in good spirits and all his thoughts are on his rehabilitation and getting back as fit as he can as quick as he can."

Request

Newcastle have written to the Football Association asking that action be taken against De Jong over the part he played in Ben Arfa's injury, but Hughton admits the Magpies are yet to hear back on that request.

He added: "It's an ongoing matter that's being dealt with. Our job here is to get on with the business in hand. It's something we have to put behind us and look forward to a very tough game at the weekend."

Meanwhile, Hughton has again piled praise on promising frontman Andy Carroll.

The 21-year-old was left out of Fabio Capello's latest England squad, but his club boss believes it is only a matter of time before he earns international honours.

Willing

"I think Andy is a young player that has made great progress, and we are delighted to have secured his services here for the next five years, but he's a player that has earned it," said Hughton, referring to Carroll's decision to pen a new five-year deal.

"For us, the fact that he wasn't involved with an England shirt over the last few days has been a benefit for us because we have had his services at the training ground.

"But the best way for people to talk about Andy is what he does in a black and white shirt and it's important that he maintains the levels and standards that he has set.

"He is a young player that still has aspects of his game that he can improve, but he's a willing learner. If he keeps going the way he's going, I'm sure at some stage he will do that (play for England)."