HATEM Ben Arfa’s game-changing contribution might have turned the tide at Bolton, but he still has a way to go to convince Alan Pardew.

Newcastle United’s manager was thankful for Ben Arfa’s critical goal at the Reebok but he is not buying talk that the mercurial Parisian was the star of the show in the North West.

Ben Arfa has become a cause celebre for some, who believe his phenomenal talent is too good to leave on the bench. But for Pardew it remains a case of being patient with the forward as he continues to build sharpness after months spent on the sidelines with a serious injury. And that may mean another run-out for hard-working Leon Best at Anfield, where Newcastle will need all hands on deck to end nearly two decades of Merseyside misery.

“He did really well? He scored. Hatem is a player that is looking to get back to his best. I still don't think he is there yet,” he said.

“I am not surprised after the injury he had. But that first goal will have helped his confidence. That bodes well, especially with Demba going away.”

The loss of Ba towards the end of January will be a significant blow for United, who have been reliant on the striker for goals since the Senegal international overcame his slow start to the season. He now sits below only Robin Van Persie and Sergio Aguero in the top flight’s top marksmen list but Pardew is not at all surprised by the impact he has had since his Tyneside switch.

“I'm not surprised by Ba's record. You look at it and think 'wow' that's fantastic,” he said.

“But I am not surprised by anything he has done. I always thought he was a good player. Last year he played out of position sometimes, in a wide area for West Ham and still did a job.

“You have to admire the way he is as a person to deliver the best he can in whatever position he is in.”