Newcastle midfielder Hatem Ben Arfa has revealed the confusion behind him being frozen out by manager Alan Pardew.

The French playmaker has been one of the Magpies' most outstanding performers during his three full seasons at the club, but a rumoured bust up with boss Pardew recently has seen him left out of the squad, sparking further rumours that he would never play for the club again.

But the 27-year-old insists that he doesn't know why he is being frozen out and that he would jump at the chance to stay at the club beyond the summer.

He told ITV: "I don't know why I am not playing.

"You have to ask the manager. After the defeat to Manchester United we had a strong exchange of words, but that is it. Now he doesn't want me to play. I respect it. If he wants I will play. I'm here for the club. I enjoy training and I just want to play. I am fit.

"I want to stay here even if the manager doesn't believe in me because I will show him I can play here. If the manager says to me he doesn't believe in me for next season, I still want to stay, but if the chairman wants to sell me I have to go."

And Ben Arfa also admits that it has been hard to sit by and watch as Newcastle slump to defeat each week, knowing that he should be on the pitch giving everything for the fans and his teammates.

"It is hard is when you love the supporters, it is hard to lose every time like that," he admitted.

"We have lost too many times. On the pitch I can offer my flair and my creativity. I try every time to do something. I think I can give a lot for the club."

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