Newcastle United boss Chris Hughton admits he's proud of their capture of Marseille loan signing Hatem Ben Arfa.

Ben Arfa was set to train for the Magpies for the first time at the club's Benton base today and Hughton could well hand him his Premier League bow against Blackpool.

Hughton - who is facing a frantic final day before the transfer window closes tomorrow - told the Evening Chronicle: "Ben Arfa's here and he's ready to show what he can do.

"We're looking forward to seeing him. He'll train for the first time today.

"We know what he can bring to the team because he's a quality signing.

"This is a lovely challenge for him.

"He wanted to come to the Premier League, and he wanted to come to us.

"We're not just bringing him here because there was nowhere else for him to go."