CHN Links: Season's Eve Edition

Here are some Newcastle morsels to tide you over until tomorrow's main course:

Hatem Ben Arfa on mend after injury | ChronicleLive
Lee Ryder is reporting that Hatem Ben Arfa may be out for 5 to 6 more weeks. I'm skeptical about this story, but I'm not sure if it's because I want to be false or because it doesn't make a whole lot of sense for such a big story to be given a two-sentence treatment in the paper. We'll keep monitoring this situation.

Pardew defends Enrique sale | The Northern Echo
It's exactly what you think it is: Can't afford to buy a player without selling one first. Boy, that sure helps on Saturday.

Follow the jump for more of the latest Newcastle United news from around the web.

Pieters tells PSV Eindhoven he wants to leave | ChronicleLive

Pieters was dropped from PSV's last game but made a second half appearance in front of Toon chief scout Graham Carr against AZ Alkmaar, which Sir Bobby Robson's old side lost 3-1. After the game Pieters stormed out of the dressing room and told local reporters he was "seriously considering" quitting the club and it is understood that has been followed up with a request to leave before the transfer window shuts.

Newcastle flop Xisco sent out on loan to Deportivo la Coruna again | MirrorFootball.co.uk
This move saves Newcastle about £50K a week. Why won't they just go ahead and buy him?

Carling Cup second round draw | Sky Sports
Newcastle drew League One side Scunthorpe United. The exact date hasn't been set, but it will be sometime during the week of the 22nd.