Yohan Cabaye: Hatem Ben Arfa deserves Euro 2012 chance

Newcastle United midfielder Yohan Cabaye has claimed that teammate Hatem Ben Arfa deserves the opportunity to represent France at Euro 2012.

Both players were named in France's provisional squad for the tournament and Cabaye believes that Ben Arfa's change of character has seen him deserve a chance from Laurent Blanc.

The 26-year-old said: "Hatem deserves it. I've spent a year with him and the Hatem I know is someone who's easy to get on with. He's calmer now, less scatterbrained.

"In every training session he works on his own in front of goal. He knows where he wants to go."

Cabaye and Ben Arfa have been key in Newcastle's push for Champions League qualification this season.