Mateta injury comeback ‘going well’ – and Palace forward could miss only one game

Crystal Palace top scorer Jean-Philippe Mateta is “healing” from a “huge wound” inflicted by a horror challenge against Millwall and could return in March, manager Oliver Glasner has said.

Frenchman Mateta was given oxygen and stretchered off before being taken to hospital to receive 25 stitches for a severe laceration to his left ear as a result of the incident in the sixth minute of Palace’s 3-1 FA Cup fifth round home win on March 1.

Glasner believes Mateta, who has 15 goals in 33 appearances in all competitions this season, will be available for the Eagles’ trip to Fulham in the FA Cup quarter-finals on March 29 “if everything goes how we wish”.

When Mateta did this at Portman Road 😏#CPFC pic.twitter.com/YexYzLvW1T

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 6, 2025

Mateta injury: ‘No fractures or concussion’

“Mateta is doing well,” Glasner said ahead of Palace’s Premier League home game against Ipswich Town on Saturday (3pm GMT), which could prove the only match the 27-year-old misses because of the pause in domestic action during the international break.

“He is at home and his recovery is going well. He had no fractures or concussion. Healing from the huge wound is going as we expected. He will go to Marbella with us next week and be just training individually.”

Referee Michael Oliver missed the incident but Roberts was dismissed for serious foul play following the intervention of the Video Assistant Referee, with the FA succeeding on Friday in a move to ban the perpetrator for six rather than three games.

The Championship club issued a statement announcing their “respect” for the decision, although they said they are “disappointed with the outcome”.

The long sleeves and tucked in shirt ✅
The Bald head ✅
Vicks on the shirt ✅
Corner flag celebration ✅

NO ONE has scored more PL goals in 2025 than Jean-Phillipe Mateta, with a stunning 8 goals from 12 shots on target 🔥

This is Premier League heritage. pic.twitter.com/FCFkA3JXM8

— Football on TNT Sports (@footballontnt) March 7, 2025

Liam Roberts: Millwall goalkeeper apologises

Roberts also responded by saying he is “devastated by what happened” and “unequivocally” accepted the red card and his ban.

Speaking on the pitch at half-time in the tie, Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish called the foul “the most reckless challenge I’ve ever seen.”

“In all the time I’ve watched football, I’ve not seen a challenge like it,” Parish told BBC Sport. “That is the most reckless challenge on a football pitch I think I’ve ever seen.

“[Roberts] needs to have a long, hard look at himself because he’s endangering a fellow professional and maybe his life. It’s a terrible challenge.”

Mateta has eight goals in his last eight Premier League games and an assist when Palace won 2-0 at Fulham on February 22.