NEWCASTLE United boss Alan Pardew hailed the impact of supersub Hatem Ben Arfa after yesterday’s 2-0 victory against Bolton at the Reebok Stadium.

After an hour in a match which was not for the purists, Pardew sent on his enigmatic French playmaker and the card came up trumps as he broke the deadlock with United’s opening goal.

Demba Ba completed the scoring two minutes later.

Ben Arfa’s continued presence on the bench during the last three matches had led to speculation there had been a fall-out between manager and player.

However, Ben Arfa had not long come back from a horrendous injury received at Manchester City last season and has been slowly feeling his way back into the hectic swing that is Premier League football – although Pardew was quick to dismiss the theory that Hatem is being used as an impact player flung on from the bench.

He said: “It was nice to see Hatem score because he’s had a terrible injury and also a long time out with it.

“I wouldn’t say Hatem was an impact player. He will consider himself to be more than that.

“But in the role he is in at the minute, he’s building himself back to where he is.

“This is a big player and he has a high opinion and a high regard for his own ability and that’s important to have a player like that in your squad. He feels he can change a match and he managed to do that today and it’s good for us.”

Another plus point for Pardew was the return to first-team football for centre-half Mike Williamson who had been out since August.

Given the paucity of centre-halves at St James’ following Steven Taylor’s injury, Williamson’s return was very much welcomed by his relieved manager.