Monday 15 September 2014 22:47, UK
Steve Bruce is confident he can bring the best of out of Hatem Ben Arfa after bringing the mercurial Frenchman to Hull City on deadline day.
Ben Arfa was in the wilderness at Newcastle United, having fallen out with boss Alan Pardew and being sent to train with their youth and reserve team players.
Bruce stepped in to sign the 27-year-old on loan for the season, just beating the deadline, and he has vowed to get Ben Arfa back to his best form.
He is unlikely to be ready to start against West Ham on Monday Night Football, but Bruce says he will soon be available for first-team duties.
"I don’t think he’s fit enough to go straight in at the start because he hasn’t played 90 minutes for I don’t know how long," Bruce said.
“But that’s what you get when you’ve been ostracised, having to work with the Under-21s.
"You are going to miss the intensity of playing and training, that’s pretty normal. So he’s still got a bit to do fitness-wise.
“He’s going to have a big part to play here because he gives us the flexibility to play whatever formation we like.
“All I want him to do is go out there and enjoy playing again, feel wanted, be part of the club and be appreciated.”
Watch Hull City's clash with West Ham live on Sky Sports 1 HD on Monday from 7:00pm.
