Newcastle United manager Alan Pardew has said that Hatem Ben Arfa is "ahead of schedule" in his return from injury and could be back playing later this month.
The French midfielder has been out of action since last October when he broke his leg against Manchester City, before damaging ankle ligaments during the Magpies' pre-season tour of the USA.
Pardew has been impressed by the 24-year-old's fitness and believes that he could feature in their Carling Cup tie against Nottingham Forest on Tuesday, September 20.
"Hatem's progress has been better than we thought - he's certainly ahead of schedule," he said.
"When he came back this week, we were not expecting him to be in perhaps as good a condition as he is in.
"I have earmarked the Forest game as maybe an opportunity for him to play a part in that game."
Newcastle are in action on Monday night when they travel to Loftus Road to take on Queens Park Rangers.
