The winger has had a tough time of things during Newcastle United's latest run of one win in eight games, and although Alan Pardew has stuck by him, perhaps this is an opening for a different system.
He suffered a foot injury in Friday night’s 3-1 defeat to Liverpool at Anfield, and he could be sidelined for several weeks.
Although reports suggest Obertan’s absence gives manager Alan Pardew a headache, with Sylvain Marveaux (groin) and Peter Lovenkrands (calf) also in the treatment room, this could mean an opportunity for Sammy Ameobi.
Some suggest Sammy is "unpredictable" ... but is that a bad thing?
Obertan is the opposite ... he has pace but he doesn't know whatb to do with it.
Obertan joined Newcastle from Man United last summer as Wayne Routledge’s replacement and the 22-year-old’s form has been a talking point of late, with Pardew launching a staunch defence of him last month.
Pardew felt his toe injury in November had affected him, and called for patience from fans.