Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is still in contention to play for France at the World Cup
Jean-Philippe Mateta has received a World Cup boost after it was revealed he will not require an operation on his injured knee.
The Crystal Palace and France striker has not played since the home defeat by Chelsea on January 25 and saw a deadline day switch to AC Milan break down with the Serie A side not convinced 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 October 10 and scoring on his first start against Iceland three days later.
An operation could have ended his dream of representing France at the World Cup this summer but it is now hoped 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 does not need surgery. The knee, the injury is not as bad as feared and so we think and the opinion from several specialists and doctors is that we can deal with the knee in a better way than with surgery. He will miss a certain time, I can’t say two weeks, three weeks, four weeks. He doesn’t need surgery, that is positive and hopefully he is back soon.”
Jean-Philippe Mateta’s Premier League stats this season
Apps: 23
Goals: 8
xG: 11.97
xA: 1.24
Penalties Scored: 3
Hit Woodwork: 1
Mateta disappointed at Milan setback
Mateta had expressed a wish to leave Selhurst Park and Glasner admitted the player was frustrated that the switch to Milan had not gone through.
He added: ”It was a disappointment but he is looking forward to the next months. It is good for him now that there is a final decision taken. Of course at the end he took the final decision with the recommendations with specialists and the medical departments, so they will do the rehab here at the training ground.
“He wants to be back as soon as possible and contribute to achieve our goals. That is his mindset and I think that is the best he can do.
“I am 100% convinced that JP will give us his best when he wears the Eagles shirt again.
“I think he deserves the best support and I am pretty sure our fans will support him in the best way. They appreciate what he has done for Crystal Palace.”
Palace’s win at Brighton was nice – Glasner
Palace ended a dismal run of 12 games without a win when they secured a morale-boosting 1-0 victory at Brighton in the M23 Derby at the weekend.
It was the perfect tonic for Palace fans, who have had to watch captain Marc Guehi depart for Manchester City, Mateta declare his desire to leave and Glasner confirm he will not be extending his contract when it expires at the end of the season.
“For everyone who likes Crystal Palace then it is a tough period but that is sport and life,” Glasner said. “We had many, many months of enjoying and now it is more of finding solutions so it was nice to get the win at Brighton. A special win, of course, in the derby. We spoke about it often, 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 pull further away when they host struggling Burnley tomorrow night.
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