Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has provided a positive update on Jean-Philippe Mateta, stating that the striker is “recovering well” after suffering a head injury during last Saturday’s FA Cup victory over Millwall.
The 27-year-old required 25 stitches after being kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, who was subsequently sent off.
Mateta will miss Saturday’s home Premier League match against Ipswich, but Glasner is hopeful he will be fit to play after the international break, which runs from March 17 to March 25.
During this period, Palace will also be holding a warm-weather training camp in Marbella
“Mateta is doing well,” said Glasner 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.
“He will go to Marbella with us next week and he will be just training individually. If everything goes how we wish, he will be available against Fulham [in their FA Cup quarter-final on 29 March].”
Millwall Goalkeeper Liam Roberts Ban for Mateta Foul Increased
Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts has had his three-match ban extended to six games following a dangerous challenge on Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta.
The 30-year-old was sent off just eight minutes into his side’s 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round defeat at Selhurst Park after kicking Mateta in the head while attempting to clear the ball.
Palace’s striker was given oxygen before being taken to an ambulance and required 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear.
The clash was initially overlooked by referee Michael Oliver, but after a video assistant referee (VAR) review, Roberts was shown a red card.
The red card resulted in an automatic three-game ban for Roberts, but the Football Association (FA) deemed the punishment “clearly insufficient” and appealed to a regulatory commission to have the ban extended.
As a result, Roberts will be unavailable to play until Saturday, 8 April, when Millwall face Sheffield United in the Championship.
