Injured Ben Arfa to leave US tour

**1892NUFF** Thu Jul 21, 2011 9:10 pm

Hatem Ben Arfa is out of the remainder of Newcastle's US tour after being taken to hospital during the 0-0 draw with Sporting Kansas City.

The Frenchman was carried off the field on a stretcher after a challenge by Roger Espinoza 30 minutes into the game during the early hours of this morning and taken for an X-ray on his left ankle.

It was later confirmed that Ben Arfa, who missed all but four games of last season with a double leg fracture, is to fly back to Tyneside as medics attempt to assess the full extent of any damage.

A club statement said: "Hatem Ben Arfa sustained an injury to his left ankle in a tackle during the club's friendly against Sporting Kansas on Wednesday evening and went to a local hospital for a precautionary X-ray.

"Consequently he will be leaving the club's US tour and the injury will be reassessed over the next 48 hours."

The news is a fresh blow to manager Alan Pardew, who embarked on the tour on Sunday without Joey Barton, Yohan Cabaye and Nile Ranger after they were refused entry visas.