Steve Bruce: Hatem Ben Arfa has played his last game for Hull

Bruce looked to have pulled off something of a transfer coup by luring the talented midfielder to the KC Stadium from Newcastle United in September on a season-long loan.

But the Hull boss has been left disappointed by Ben Arfa's work-rate and he has not played since he was hauled off 35 minutes into the 3-0 Premier League defeat at Manchester United at the end of last month.

Newcastle manager Alan Pardew has already ruled out the chances of a return to St James' Park for the 27-year-old, leaving Ben Arfa " a free agent at the end of the season " in a state of limbo, amid reports he is currently in France after falling out of favour with Bruce.

"I've said to Ben Arfa unfortunately I wasn't going to accept a performance like I've seen from him when he played Manchester United," said Bruce.

"And it's up to him to force his way back into the squad and that's the way it is.

"If he decides to stay in France, then that's up to him. There's only 10 days or something until the window opens, but I think it's fair to say he's probably played his last game for Hull.

"Sometimes transfers don't work, especially when it's a loan deal.

"Unfortunately it hasn't worked out, so I wish him the best of luck and I hope he goes on to have the career that his talent deserves."