HATEM BEN ARFA has described being forced to train with Newcastle United’s youth team as a “terrible humiliation”, and referred to his return to France’s Ligue 1 as “like coming back from hell”.

Ben Arfa, who was released by the Magpies in January, fell out of favour under former boss Alan Pardew as his attitude and professionalism were repeatedly questioned.

He was banished to train with Newcastle’s academy squad in the summer of 2014, before heading out on an unsuccessful loan spell at Hull City, and the acrimonious end to his time on Tyneside clearly still rankles.

“It was a very, very difficult period,” said Ben Arfa, who scored 14 goals in 86 appearances for the Magpies. “The worst of my career. It was as if hell began (at) Newcastle.

“There, on the first day back in August 2014, I was placed directly with the reserves – a terrible humiliation. Weeks passed, and I was always with these young 16 and 17-year-olds on land away from the pros.

“I did not understand. They gave me a nightmare – it was full of little cheap shots. And when I believed in me (getting out) by signing for Nice, they were forbidden to hire me (until this July).”

Since returning to his homeland, Ben Arfa’s career has gone from strength to strength. He has scored seven goals in 13 games for Nice this season, a run of form that has earned him a recall to the France squad, and which could see him line up against England in a friendly next Tuesday.

A Wembley appearance would represent quite a turnaround for the 28-year-old winger, who has successfully rebuilt his relationship with the French hierarchy after a series of high-profile fall-outs in the past.

Even if he is overlooked by France boss Didier Deschamps, however, he remains delighted with the successful resurrection of his career this season.

“I had the feeling of being locked in a dark room without a door (at the start of the year), or in an endless tunnel,” said Ben Arfa, in an interview with France Football. “I saw hell and no solution to my problems. At that time, I did not see any light, I was a prisoner.

“I was slapping myself every day to not let go. I tried to convince myself that the light was coming back, that I was going to find the right path.

“By signing this summer with Nice, I really felt out of hell. In fact, that’s it – I have come back from hell.”