Pards’ special K

ALAN PARDEW has hailed Hatem Ben Arfa as his Toon’s answer to Kevin Keegan.

The French winger returned from injury against Benfica on Thursday and will be unleashed from the bench against rivals Sunderland today.
Ben Arfa, 26, is a fans’ favourite on Tyneside — the latest in a long list of skilful playmakers to have worn the famous black and white.
And Pards admits it was music to his ears when the former Marseille star this week confirmed his intention to stay, having been linked with a summer move.
The Toon boss said: “When I looked at Newcastle as an outsider I always admired the way they played here. There was always that outstanding player that lifted the crowd. You had Tino Asprilla, Peter Beardsley and Kevin Keegan. They were fantastic.
“And you have to put Hatem in that category as a special player.
“He hasn’t achieved what those guys have done yet but, hopefully, he will.
“The first thing I did when I arrived was sign him because he is my type of player and I’ve had a great relationship with him.
“We’ve had a few ups and downs with injuries. But he can do things that no other player can do.
“That’s why I want to keep him here as long as he wants to stay, so it’s good news for me that he wants to stay.