Cobblers sweating on winger

Jermaine Jenas believes he still has a future with England and is ready to prove it in the Championship if QPR go down.

The midfielder won the last of his 21 international caps in 2009 and moved on to Loftus Road in January after falling out of the first-team picture at Tottenham.

Jenas signed an 18-month deal and is committed to Rangers even if they fail to bridge a seven-point gap to safety between now and the end of the season, but his ambition to play at the top level remains.

The 30-year-old told the London Evening Standard: "Look at some of the players that have drifted out of the system and come back into it - the likes of Scott Parker. He is two years older than me and still getting picked.

"Thinking about age, there is Steven Gerrard and Frank Lampard who are a little bit older than me but still in the team and although there are young players coming through, there is always the question of whether they are good enough.

"As long as I maintain my performances and keep myself fit, I would like to think that I would always be in the background of the manager's thoughts."

Asked if he would seek a move if QPR are relegated, he said: "Everybody wants to be in the Premier League, but I am very happy at QPR.

"The club and fans have taken to me very well and we will cross that bridge if we come to it, but I would love to stay.

"Everyone at the club has accepted me, taken me after I was not in a great place in my career. QPR probably took a chance on me and it would be very harsh for me to go anywhere else."

The Robins missed the chance to move into the automatic promotion places with the defeat away at struggling Argyle and Yates was seen to exchange words with an irate fan after the final whistle.

In an official statement on the club's website, Yates said: "I want to apologise for the use of bad language aimed at a supporter.

"My use of language was of course unacceptable and for anyone that I have offended, I am sorry.

"I took my players over to our fans at the end of the game to thank them for travelling so far and supporting us, as I do every away game.

"I saw one supporter approach one of my players and swear and shout at him in a very aggressive manner. The player in question had only come on as a sub with the score already at 2-0 and I am sorry to say I reacted to this supporter.

"We are a close-knit team and I always back my players but I certainly regret what I did and apologise for any offence caused by my language.

"It was a frustrating day for myself, the players and of course the supporters. It is now important to put this behind us with three big games approaching, starting with Gillingham next weekend."

It was thought the 26-year-old would miss the remainder of the season in order to undergo an operation on a persistent hamstring problem.

But specialists have told the club that the Frenchman does not need surgery.

Ben Arfa was put through his paces on the pitch at St James' Park before Sunday's 1-0 win over Fulham and United manager Alan Pardew has revealed he has a chance of being involved in Sunday's match at St James' Park.

"What's happened with Hatem is that the scan has shown that we've got some scar tissue still in the hamstring," Pardew told the Hartlepool Mail. "He's showing no ill-effects.

"We've sent him to three experts, mainly a French expert, who's been looking after him. He thinks that he's 100%.

"We're now treating him as that. He's running. There could be a cameo as soon as Sunderland. He's got a week's work. If he gets through that work, then he could be involved."

Ben Arfa was in superb form at the start of the season and Pardew is keen to have the player back.

However, having seen Ben Arfa make two abortive comebacks from the injury, suffered in a Europa League group game against Maritimo, the manager is erring on the side of caution.

"It'd be a massive bonus for us, but it's still too early to call," added Pardew. "After the last time, we said he wouldn't play again this seaons. Half of me thought he might.

"I just wanted to clear his mind and see how he reacted. Hopefully, we'll get a nice bonus."

Demontagnac, 24, pulled up in pain after 32 minutes at Valley Parade on Saturday while attempting to sprint for the ball.

Cobblers boss Aidy Boothroyd does not expect the player to feature again during the last four matches of the campaign as the club chase automatic promotion from npower League Two.

"I think that will be his season over," said Boothroyd following the 1-0 defeat to the Bantams.

"We don't really know at this stage but it will probably be a fairly long one.

"It's that stage of the season where you get these things. He's done well for us recently and it will be a blow.

"But it will give Jake Robinson the chance to have a run in the side and show us what he can do."

Demontagnac joins club captain Kelvin Langmead (knee), Clive Platt (calf) and Alex Nicholls (broken leg) on the Northampton injured list.