Crystal Palace head coach Oliver Glasner has confirmed that Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to make his return for the team in their upcoming FA Cup quarter-final match against Fulham. Mateta had suffered a severe ear injury in the previous round of the competition, requiring 25 stitches to his left ear after a collision with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
Roberts, who was subsequently handed a six-game ban for the incident, accidentally kicked Mateta in the head as he rushed out from goal during the FA Cup fifth-round clash on March 1. The French striker has been out of action since then, with the injury occurring just before an international break.
However, Glasner revealed that Mateta has been training with the team for the past two weeks and is ready to make his comeback on the field. The 27-year-old, who has been a key player for Palace this season with 15 goals across all competitions, participated in an internal game during the break and showed no signs of discomfort.
Mateta will be wearing a protective mask during the match against Fulham, with Glasner jokingly suggesting that he should consider a career in water polo due to his height. Despite the seriousness of the incident, Mateta has shown sportsmanship by forgiving Roberts and acknowledging that it was a case of “too much emotion” in the heat of the game.
Palace chairman Steve Parish condemned the challenge as reckless, but Mateta has chosen to move on from the incident and focus on returning to action. With his determination and resilience, Mateta is expected to make a strong impact in the upcoming FA Cup clash and help Palace in their quest for silverware.
The team and fans alike will be eagerly awaiting Mateta’s return to the pitch, as he looks to put the injury behind him and continue his impressive form for Crystal Palace. With his talent and determination, Mateta is sure to make a significant contribution in the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham and beyond.
