Blanc bites tongue on Ben Arfa

France coach Laurent Blanc has refused to give much away on the topic of Hatem Ben Arfa being included in his squad for Euro 2012.

Blanc attended a youth tournament named after him on Monday and Tuesday in Rousson, the village of his childhood.

The budding footballers on show were keen to quiz Blanc over who would be chosen for his final 23-man squad later in May, but he was particularly cryptic on the Newcastle attacker’s chances of being included.

“What he has done is not bad,” Blanc told Midi Libre.

“Especially since we often forget that he suffered a serious injury last year.”

Ben Arfa has bounced back admirably after breaking his leg against Manchester City last season, scoring five goals in 23 Premier League appearances for the Magpies this term.