Newcastle United winger Hatem Ben Arfa’s comeback from a broken leg has been delayed.
The France international, who suffered a double break during the game against Manchester City last October, had been pencilled in for a return against Wolves on April 2.
However, manager Alan Pardew has now revealed the 23-year-old, who made his loan move from Marseille a permanent one in January, may now be sidelined until May.
Pardew said: “I am going to protect him. I can't just throw him in.
“The Wolves game sounds optimistic, even though I'm sure, in his own mind, he has set that as his target.
“But he is still very much in the process of recovery and he has a long road back. It may even take us into May.
“To break both bones in the shin is tough, not just physically, but mentally, too.”