Newcastle United star Hatem Ben Arfa is poised to return against Anzhi Makhachkala in the Europa League, reports the Daily Mail.

The Frenchman has had a hamstring problem which has seen him miss two months of action, but now he is back and raring to go.

Tough Task

Newcastle face the hard task of facing free-spending Anzhi Makhachkala in Russia on Thursday, where Ben Arfa will board the plane today for the long haul flight.

The midfielder was expected to be in action on Saturday against Swansea, but Alan Pardew decided that he did not want to risk the Frenchman.

Anzhi, the Russian equivalent of Manchester City, will be hoping a lack of match fitness will deter the Frenchman from making his trademark runs.

The Russians are in Moscow instead of conflict-hit Dagestan due to a UEFA ruling. This however has not stopped them from impressing at home with four wins including a 1-0 triumph against Liverpool in the group stages.

With Ben Arfa back for Newcastle there is more of an added goal threat with the likes of Moussa Sissoko, Yohan Cabaye and Papiss Cisse still in the hunt for goals.