Pardew excited by ‘mouthwatering’ prospect of fully fit Newcastle squad

Pardew excited by ‘mouthwatering’ prospect of fully-fit Newcastle squad

12/02/2013 11:10:00 PM

The Magpies boss believes the returns to full fitness of Hatem Ben Arfa, Yoan Gouffran and Moussa Sissoko will significantly boost their chances of avoiding relegation

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew is "excited" at the prospect of having a full-strength squad to pick from heading into the final 12 games of the Premier League season.

The Magpies’ five January additions had prompted back-to-back wins for the first time this term - including a 3-2 victory over Chelsea - only for a Gareth Bale masterclass to put that run to a halt as Tottenham ran out 2-1 winners on Saturday.

But Pardew is adamant his side will excel once French trio Yohan Cabaye, Hatem Ben Arfa and Yoan Gouffran make a return to full fitness.

“It does excite me,” he told the Daily Mirror. “You’d like to think with Gouffran on one side and Ben Arfa coming back on the other side and Moussa Sissoko [back to fitness] - blimey that’s mouthwatering for us.

“Cabaye coming back has been the bigger bonus than perhaps the boys we brought in.”

Newcastle return to Europa League action on Feburary 14 when they host Metalist Kharkiv before travelling to Ukraine for the second leg the following week.

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