After suffering a horrifying ear injury in the previous round, Jean-Philippe Mateta is “ready” to play for Crystal Palace in their FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham on Saturday.
In Palace’s FA Cup fifth-round victory on March 1 after being kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts, Mateta needed 25 stitches to his left ear.
Roberts was given a lengthy six-game suspension after catching Mateta as he ran out of the net.
The 27-year-old French striker has missed a game that included a two-week international break.
Mateta has 15 goals in all competitions this season, according to Palace manager Oliver Glasner, who confirmed on Friday that the weekend game will be played at Craven Cottage.
The Austrian remarked, “Oh no, he’s been training with us for two weeks.” It’s important for him to train a little bit, he says, “Of course, always with his protection.”
He said, “We had a game inside of us during the international break where he could play for 60 minutes without any issues.” He’s ready. “
When Fulham comes to play, Mateta will wear a protective mask.
Because he is tall enough, I told him to try water polo, “said Glasner.” He claims to be comfortable despite the appearance of something strange.
“Let’s see, tomorrow when he scores a header, it was the right mask and protection,” he said.
Steve Parish, the chairman of the Palace, described the situation as the “most reckless challenge” he had ever seen, but Mateta claimed there was “too much emotion” in the midst of the battle.
When Liam texted me while I was in the hospital, I said, “It’s okay, it’s football,” Mateta told Sky Sports. He thanked me. He was concerned.
Source: Channels TV
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