Jean-Philippe Mateta is on track to make his Crystal Palace comeback by the end of the month, despite suffering a gruesome head injury in last week’s FA Cup clash against Millwall.
The French striker was left needing 25 stitches after a brutal collision with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, which saw him rushed to the hospital. Fortunately, Palace boss Oliver Glasner delivered a positive update on his recovery.
“Mateta is doing well,” Glasner said on Friday. “He is at home and recovering well. He had no fractures or concussion, and healing from the huge wound is going as we expected.”
Mateta is set to travel with the squad to Marbella next week, where he will continue his recovery with individual training sessions. Glasner remains optimistic that the 27-year-old will be fit in time for Palace’s FA Cup quarterfinal against Fulham.
“If everything goes how we wish, he will be available against Fulham,” Glasner added.
While Mateta won’t be available for this weekend’s match, Glasner is relieved the injury wasn’t more severe. “We lose JP for this game, we can’t play him tomorrow, but it’s not too bad.”
