Ben Arfa eyes Euro 2016 berth

Hatem Ben Arfa says he is doing all he can to earn a place in France’s final 23-man squad for Euro 2016 this summer.

The Nice winger scored a hat-trick to help inspire his team to a 3-0 victory over Rennes in Ligue 1 on Sunday and he has now scored 16 goals in 29 league appearances for Claude Puel’s side so far this season.

The 29-year-old’s fine form earned him a recall to the France set-up in November, although he was left out the squad for the recent international double header against the Netherlands and Russia.

The former Newcastle player is now hoping his impressive displays can earn him a place at Euro 2016, which is due to begin in France on June 10, with coach Didier Deschamps set to name his squad for the finals on May 12.

He told reporters: “The squad will be named on May 12. I’m going to give everything on the pitch until then. As long as there is hope, I believe. You know, I’m a competitor. You’ll see that I’ll give everything and until the end I’ll be there to try and reach my objectives.”

If Ben Arfa is selected for the finals then he will be hoping to feature when Les Bleus take on Romania, Albania and Switzerland in Group A of the competition.

The hosts last claimed glory in the tournament in 2000 and they are available at 4.00 to secure their third European Championship crown this summer.