Mateta aiming to return for Palace´s FA Cup quarter-final

Jean-Philippe Mateta is aiming to make his comeback for Crystal Palace’s FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham after returning to training following his horror injury against Millwall.

Mateta was on the end of a high tackle by visiting goalkeeper Liam Roberts, a challenge that saw the 30-year-old sent off just eight minutes into the contest at Selhurst Park.

Roberts had his initial three-match ban extended to six, with the FA saying the punishment was “clearly insufficient” and subsequently submitting a claim to a regulatory commission to increase it.

After being taken to hospital, Mateta required 25 stitches, but has missed just one game for Oliver Glasner’s side, their 1-0 win over Ipswich Town.

The French forward has been in fine form for Palace, netting 15 goals in 33 appearances across all competitions this season.

And in an interview published by L’Equipe on Sunday, Mateta said that most of the damage was to his ear, which he said was “just destroyed,” adding that he was lucky the outcome was not much more severe.

“I was afraid I’d have broken bones or blood in my brain, but in fact, my ear was just destroyed,” Mateta said.

“At the last moment, I had the reflex to turn my face. I was lucky because if I hadn’t, I would have taken his foot right in the head, and it would have been much worse.

“After that, I never lost consciousness. I was lying on the ground, and I said to the doctor: ‘I’m fine, I want to play again.’ But he, seeing my ear, replied, ‘No, you have to go.’

“A plastic surgery specialist came and took pictures of my ear, which he refused to show me, so as not to let them stay in my head.

“Obviously, it didn’t look like an ear any more. At the beginning of the operation, the surgeon had a lot of trouble, but afterwards, as he explained to me, he found a way to save my ear. He did a hell of a job.”

Welcome back, JP #CPFC pic.twitter.com/mqguUqo25s

— Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) March 11, 2025

Following Mateta’s injury, his Palace team-mates were able to beat Millwall 3-1, with Japhet Tanganga’s own-goal followed up by strikes from Daniel Munoz and Eddie Nketiah.

Championship outfit Preston North End are the only team ranked lower than Palace left in the FA Cup, with the competition resuming after the international break concludes.

Mateta hopes to be fit to face Fulham but said that when he does make his return to the field, he will be wearing a protective mask while the stitches continue to heal completely.

“I have to be careful to prevent it from getting infected, I have to wash it every time I sweat,” Mateta added.

“Next week, I should be able to participate in training matches, but for that, I’ll need a mask while my ear finishes healing.

“I’ve been sent several models, and I’ll have to choose between those that just cover the ear and others that cover the whole face.”