Hull City manager Steve Bruce insists there has been no bust-up with on-loan Newcastle United star Hatem Ben Arfa.
Bruce criticised claims in a Daily Mail story of a dressing room "issue" between the two men at half-time in the defeat to Manchester United last weekend, when Ben Arfa was substituted after just 35 minutes.
Speaking after today's 0-0 draw with West Bromwich Albion at the KC Stadium, Bruce said: "Nothing happened at Old Trafford in the dressing room."
Referring to his decision to pull off Ben Arfa, he said: "I obviously wasn't happy with his performance. End of story.
"There was no bust-up. He's still here, he's still part of the squad. He trained yesterday.
"Of course, he's not happy about being taken off. But then again, David Meyler hasn't been happy. Paul McShane hasn't been happy for the last three months that they haven't been in the team.
"He's got to win his spurs back by working hard and training hard and try and get back into the team."
Ben Arfa was left out of the squads for the Everton game in midweek and today's home clash, raising questions about whether City might terminate a season-long loan deal in January.
And while Bruce stopped short of saying Ben Arfa would remain at the KC Stadium past the close of next month's transfer window, he challenged him to "roll up his sleeves and work for the cause".
He said: "We're Hull. No matter who you play football for in the Premier League, there's got to be a work-rate and an attitude to make sure you do something for the team."
"He didn't earn it at Old Trafford, to be among the substitutes today or on Wednesday.
"His attitude has been okay. I haven't got any problem with his personality or the way he is or his attitude. He simply has to roll his sleeves up and work for the cause.
"There's no disputing that he's got ability but ability isn't enough at this level. So he'll be training like everyone else will be training.
"We've now got four or five weeks until January. We could lose three or four (players) next week and then there's a chance that he might be back in.
"We'll see what December and January brings and have a sit down and see where we all are."
