Alan Pardew resists call for Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa

Newcastle take on Metalist Kharkiv in the Europa League tonight

Alan Pardew: Newcastle’s manager appreciates the owner’s support (PA)

Newcastle's manager, Alan Pardew, will not bring back Hatem Ben Arfa for the Europa League round-of-32 second leg against Metalist Kharkiv.

The French midfielder has been out since December with a hamstring injury but has now returned to training. The tie stands at 0-0 after the match at St James' Park but Pardew is intending to bring Ben Arfa back in Sunday's Premier League match against Southampton.

The Metalist manager, Myron Markevich, warned his players not to underestimate Newcastle despite their lowly League position. "Newcastle are a very good team and they shouldn't be in the position they are in," he said. "They should be in the top 10, minimum."