Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has provided a positive injury update on star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Mateta required oxygen as he received on-field treatment for almost 10 minutes before being stretchered off and taken to an ambulance after being kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in last weekend’s 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round win at Selhurst Park.
Roberts was shown a straight red card for the high challenge in the eighth minute and he has since had a three-match ban increased to six games by the Football Association.
On Saturday evening, Mateta was discharged from St George’s Hospital where he received specialist treatment and 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear.
The Frenchman will not be involved in Palace’s Premier League clash with Ipswich Town on Saturday, but Glasner has delivered a reassuring update on the striker’s recovery and has revealed when he could return to first-team action.
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Mateta could return for Fulham FA Cup quarter-final tie
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Glasner said: “Mateta is doing well. He is at home and his recovery is going well. He had no fractures or concussion. Healing from the huge wound is going as we expected.
“He will go to Marbella with us next week and be just training individually. If everything goes how we wish, he will be available versus Fulham [after the March international break].
“We lost JP in this game – we can’t play him tomorrow – but it’s not too bad.”
Palace’s clash with Ipswich is their final fixture before the international break which runs from March 17 to March 25 when the senior Eagles squad will take part in a warm-weather training camp in Marbella.
All being well, Mateta will be fit to return for Palace when they taken on Fulham at Craven Cottage in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 29, four days before facing Southampton at St Mary’s in the Premier League.
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Glasner: ‘Mateta injury was a big topic at the training ground’
Asked about Mateta’s reaction to the challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Roberts, Glasner added: “To be honest, it wasn’t a big topic here in the training ground.
“The players had two days off [after the Millwall game] and, of course, everybody was in touch with JP and messaging him and I think everybody could see how he is.
“The evening after the Millwall game, it was announced all’s fine with him and everybody knows he is doing well, and he will be back soon. We started on Tuesday focusing on Ipswich.
“JP’s mother came over from France and she took care of him, so he’s in the best hands! He has great support at home. He will go with us to Marbella and will be in good hands again and he will start training with us.”
Mateta has been magnificent form in front of goal for the Eagles this season, scoring 15 times in 33 appearances across all competitions, including eight strikes in his last eight Premier League matches.
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