Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to return to action for Crystal Palace in their FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on Saturday after suffering a horrific injury in the previous round, Afrosport reports.
The 27-year-old of Congolese heritage, needed 25 stitches to his left ear after being kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, who was subsequently handed an extended six-match ban, in the fifth-round tie at Selhurst Park on March 1.
Mateta has not played ever since but Palace boss Oliver Glasner stated the club’s leading scorer this season with 15 goals, is ready to play at Craven Cottage, albeit with a protective face mask.
“Oh yes, he trains now for two weeks with us,” the Austrian tactician said. “Of course, always with his protection and it’s also important for him to train a little bit.
“We had an internal game in the international break where he could play for 60 minutes without any problems. He’s ready.
“I said to him to maybe try water polo because he is tall enough. It looks a little bit strange, but he says he is comfortable.
“Let’s see, when he scores a header tomorrow then it was the right mask and the right protection.”
Fantastique.#CPFC pic.twitter.com/dqJtYlWSeP
— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 28, 2025
Mateta had no ill feelings towards Roberts for the kick, believing it was a mistake, and will learn from it.
