Newcastle winger Hatem Ben Arfa has voiced his frustration at a lack of first-team opportunities at Newcastle this season.

The French playmaker has been forced to settle for a bit-part role with the Magpies, starting only three of their 19 league fixtures so far this term.

The 24-year-old is once again expected to start from the bench against Manchester United on Wednesday evening, however he believes he has done enough to show manager Alan Pardew that he deserves a run in the starting XI.

The former Marseille star, whose left leg was broken in a tackle by Manchester City's Nigel de Jong 15 months ago, told The Sun: "I knew it would take time to get back. But it has been four months now and I feel I'm ready.

"I'm completely fit and believe I'm able to play more than I have done so far. When I see fans in the street, they always ask me why I am not playing. I respond it's not my decision.

"I scored at Bolton but then was still on the bench for the next game. I wasn't surprised though.

"There have been a lot of emotions since I arrived here - positive and negative. I arrived and scored a great goal against Everton, then there was the injury.

"I went from one extreme to the other in a very short amount of time. But I would still say it has been positive so far, mainly because of the fans who have always supported me.

"I'm a competitor and I want to play every game, every minute. The manager knows what I'm thinking. He knows I want to play. He makes his choices and I have to respect them."

Ben Arfa believes the reason for his limited first-team opportunities is due to a clash of styles between himself and boss Pardew.

The Frenchman believes he is more suited to playing in a footballing side, such as Swansea, while Pardew prefers a more direct approach.

"It's true we don't share quite the same philosophy. For him, it's more crosses, a bit of a more direct style, whereas I'm more the kind of player who likes to play short passes," he added.

"I like to pass and move, a little bit like Swansea when we played against them. I was very impressed with the way Swansea played football.

"That is the kind of football I like. That's the philosophy I learned at the French academy at Clairefontaine."

Ben Arfa, who signed a four-year deal with the Magpies 12 months ago, has enjoyed his time in England so far and insists he has no immediate plans to walk away from the club, despite his frustrations.

He said: "There is a lot of bulls**t about players in this country, stories like they've been seen drinking the day before their game.

"For me, that is exaggerated. You can have a drink in your time as long as you are good on the pitch.

"I prefer the English mentality in game preparation. You don't have to go to a hotel the night before a home game. There is more freedom for the players. I like that.

"I have ambitions. I'm ambitious for Newcastle, for the fans. If the club matches my ambitions, no problems."