Last Updated: Tue, 12 Feb 2013 08:33
Newcastle have been boosted by the news Hatem Ben Arfa could be back available for the clash with Southampton on Sunday.
The midfielder has been struggling through injury but is closing in on a return to action and manager Alan Pardew says he cannot wait to get him back in the side where he could line up alongside a host of new recruits.
Moussa Sissoko, Mapou Yanga-Mbiwa and Yoan Gouffran have all been added to the squad while Ben Arfa has been out and Pardew says having them all in the same side is a mouthwatering prospect.
"It does excite me," he said. "You'd like to think with Gouffran on one side and Ben Arfa coming back on the other side and Moussa Sissoko, blimey that's mouthwatering for us.
"Yohan Cabaye coming back has been the bigger bonus than perhaps the boys we brought in."
There is also good news concerning Gouffran, who could also be available for the Saints game after he avoided serious damage to his leg in the defeat at Tottenham.
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