Hatem Ben Arfa has opened up about the final year of his Newcastle United career, describing it as "hell".

The 28-year-old joined the Magpies in 2011, but eventually left for French club Nice after spending a spell in Newcastle's reserves.

Then-manager Alan Pardew made Ben Arfa train with the youth players as he had grown frustrated with the Frenchman's attitude.

The winger eventually signed for Nice after being forced to wait due to FIFA regulations, and his performances have earned him a spot in the France squad for upcoming friendlies.

"It was a very, very difficult period - the worst of my career," Ben Arfa told francefootball.fr. "It was as if my hell began at Newcastle.

"There, on the first day back in August 2014, I was placed directly with the reserves. A terrible humiliation. Weeks passed and I was always with these young 16 and 17-year-olds on land away from the pros.

"I did not understand. They gave me a nightmare. It was full of little cheap shots, and when I believed in me [getting out] by signing for Nice, they were forbidden to hire me [until July]."

Ben Arfa could play against England in next week's friendly at Wembley.