Newcastle manager Chris Hughton claims Hatem Ben Arfa is in good spirits and keen to press on with his rehabilitation.
The French winger, who is on a season-long loan from Marseille, is currently sidelined with a broken leg.
He suffered a double fracture during a Premier League meeting with Manchester City, with a hefty challenge from Nigel de Jong leaving him facing up to a lengthy spell on the treatment table.
The Frenchman is understandably disappointed to have seen his season severely disrupted, but Magpies boss Hughton insists the 23-year-old is determined to be back in action as soon as possible.
He told Sky Sports News: "He's in good spirits. It's obviously a very difficult time for him. He's a young man that's going through an injury, and a length of injury that he hasn't had before.
"But he's in good spirits and all his thoughts are on his rehabilitation and getting back as fit as he can as quick as he can."
Newcastle have written to the Football Association asking that action be taken against De Jong over the part he played in Ben Arfa's injury, but Hughton admits the Magpies are yet to hear back on that request.
He added: "It's an ongoing matter that's being dealt with. Our job here is to get on with the business in hand. It's something we have to put behind us and look forward to a very tough game at the weekend."
