Report: Newcastle's Gabriel Obertan set for Nantes move

With only five Premier League appearances to his name this season, Newcastle United winger Gabriel Obertan appears poised for a return to Ligue 1 football with Nantes.

The French-born midfielder is no stranger to Ligue 1 football, having cut his teeth with Bordeaux and Lorient from 2006-09, with a potential third spell in the French top-flight on the horizon, according to a report from L'Equipe.

Obertan, 26, is currently hampered by a groin injury, and has become surplus to requirements under Steve McClaren at St. James' Park thanks to the emergence of summer signing Georginio Wijnaldum and the form of Moussa Sissoko.

He hasn't appeared in the Magpies squad since a 2-2 draw with Chelsea on Sept. 26 on the heels of a meagre 16 combined league appearances over the last three campaigns.

The former Manchester United player was diagnosed with a hamstring strain in late November that required surgery, sidelining the winger until March. His contract with Newcastle is set to expire in June 2016.