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Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is still in contention to play for France at the World Cup.
Jean-Philippe Mateta He has received a World Cup boost after it was revealed his injured knee would not require surgery.
This Crystal Palace And France The striker has not played since the home defeat by Chelsea on 25 January and Serie A made a deadline day switch to AC Milan with the team unconvinced by Mateta’s fitness.
The 28-year-old made a strong impression with Les Bleus back in the autumn, making his debut against Azerbaijan on 10 October and scoring on his debut against Iceland three days later.
The operation could end his dream of representing France at the World Cup this summer but it is now hoped that a period of rest and rehabilitation will enable him to return to full fitness before the squad is named in May.
Palace boss Oliver Glasner said: “Fortunately he doesn’t need surgery. The knee, the injury is not as bad as feared and so we think and the opinion of many experts and doctors is that we can deal with the knee better than surgery. He will miss the exact time, I can’t say two weeks, three weeks, he hopefully needs four weeks positively. Back soon.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s Premier League stats this season
Applications: 23
Goals: 8
xG: 11.97
xA: 1.24
Penalty score: 3
HIT WOODWORK: 1
Mateta was disappointed by Milan’s setback
Mateta expressed his desire to leave Selhurst Park and Glassner admitted the player was disappointed not to make the switch to Milan.
He added: “It was disappointing but he is looking forward to the coming months. It is good for him now that the final decision has been made. Of course at the end he made the final decision with the recommendations of the specialists and the medical departments, so they will rehabilitate here at the training ground.
“He wants to come back as soon as possible and contribute to achieve our goals. That’s his mentality and I think he can do the best.
“I am 100% sure that JP will give us his best when he pulls on the Eagles shirt again.
“I think he deserves the best support and I’m sure our fans will support him the best they can. They appreciate what he’s done for Crystal Palace.”
Palace win at Brighton was great – Glasner
Palace ended a disappointing run of 12 games without a win when they secured a morale-boosting 1-0 win at Brighton in the M23 derby at the weekend.
It was the perfect tonic for Palace fans, who had to watch captain Mark Guhi depart for Manchester City, Mateta announce his desire to leave and Glasner confirm he will not extend his contract when it expires at the end of the season.
“It’s a difficult period for everyone who likes Crystal Palace but that’s sport and life,” Glasner said. “We enjoyed many, many months and now it’s more about finding solutions so it was nice to win at Brighton. A special win, of course, in the derby. We talked about it many times, we have more options now, more players are back.”
The win at the Amex moved Palace nine points clear of the bottom three And they have an excellent chance to go further when they host struggling Burnley tomorrow night.
