I don't know where Ben Arfa is at the moment, fumes Bruce

Thegoalmac can reveal that Hull City manager Steve Bruce has admitted he is unaware of Hatem Ben Arfa's whereabouts amid rumours the winger's loan will be cancelled.

Reports in Ben Arfa's native France last week suggested the Newcastle United attacker - on a season-long loan at the KC Stadium - had returned to Paris to work with a fitness coach.

Rumours have claimed Bruce will end Ben Arfa's loan deal when the transfer window reopens - with his last appearance seeing him substituted in the first half during of the 3-0 loss to Manchester United.

"I don't know if Hatem is in Paris, that's the truth," Bruce told reporters. "As for not playing for Hull City again – at the moment he's not in the squad.

"The transfer window opens in January, so there's still conversations to be had with him. But at the moment he's not in the squad and he hasn't earned the right to be in the squad."

Having also fallen foul of Newcastle manager Alan Pardew, Ben Arfa is widely expected to leave St James' Park when his contract expires at the end of the season.