ON the day that Newcastle United released 11 professionals, including three senior members of the first team squad, Hatem Ben Arfa has revealed how life on Tyneside has transformed his character.

After weeks of speculation and uncertainty, it was confirmed last night that Danny Guthrie, Peter Lovenkrands and Alan Smith will not be returning to St James' Park next season.

The exits of all three were not particularly surprising, but there had always remained a chance that Guthrie - who manager Alan Pardew wanted to keep - would change his mind and stay.

Now the former Bolton and Liverpool midfielder is on the look out for a move to another Premier League clubs, with West Bromwich Albion leading the way following the change of manager at Aston Villa.

Guthrie was keen for a fresh start after failing to command a regular starting role for the Magpies, who he signed for in a £2.5m deal in the summer of 2008.

It has emerged the extended length of time it has taken to confirm the retained list was because Newcastle had been looking to persuade Guthrie to stay.

But the 25-year-old, who made more than 100 appearances for Newcastle, was the biggest departure yesterday. The wage bill has also been eased considerably by the end of Smith's time in the North-East.

Smith's reputed £60,000 a week wage is now likely to be used to strengthen other areas of the squad, while Lovenkrands is expected to head back up to Scotland after his departure.

There are also a number of reserve team players on the look out for new clubs. Sammy Adjei, Philip Airey, Ryan Donaldson, Stephen Folan, Jeff Henderson, Tamas Kadar, Greg McDermott and Patrick Nzuzi are the others to have left Newcastle.

Now Pardew will be focused on trying to strengthen a squad that sealed a fifth place finish in the Premier League last season.

He has the distraction of having to deal with the uncertainty surrounding Danny Simpson, who has 12 months remaining on his contract and could be sold, and Demba Ba, who has a £7m release clause in his contract.

But the Newcastle boss' priority is to examine the transfer market for potential signings in his attempts to build a squad capable of dealing with the extra strains of a Europa League campaign too.

Pardew is, though, hoping his key French players will return unscathed from the European Championships. Hatem Ben Arfa and Yohan Cabaye are likely to be key figures for the French.

And, after ending a two-year exile from international football, Ben Arfa admits his move to Newcastle has brought the best out of him.

"I feel I've developed, I feel that on the pitch I am enjoying myself and in life I am really enjoying my family and friends and live every moment to the full," said the former Lyon and Marseille playmaker.

"I have grown up in my head so it has affected all aspects of my life. Lately, well you could say really that in the last two to three years I have evolved a lot.

"You evolve when you realise that the situation you were in previously was not working, you get smacked so you start asking questions and then you start to realise that it is not always the fault of others.

"It is true to say that nowadays sometime I say I can't be bothered but then very quickly retract as I realise that I have some responsibility. In the long run, by questioning each situation, you manage to tame yourself and you become less impatient, less impulsive less driven by your own desires."