Jean-Philippe Mateta: Crystal Palace finally regains its top scorer

Jean-Philippe Mateta is back after a month-long absence due to a serious injury. A breath of optimism, Crystal Palace regains its star striker ahead of the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham.

On March 1st, during the FA Cup round of 16 against Millwall, Jean-Philippe Mateta suffered a dramatic injury. A collision with the opposing goalkeeper, Liam Roberts, resulted in a severe laceration to his left ear, requiring 25 stitches. This incident led to a six-match suspension for Roberts, due to the severity of his action.

On his part, the French striker followed a rigorous rehabilitation program. He resumed individual training before rejoining collective sessions this Friday, March 28, 2025. To protect his still fragile injury, Mateta will wear a water polo-style helmet during upcoming matches, a precautionary measure approved by the club's medical staff.

Lydiane N'Po |

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Sports journalist specializing in African football, covering football news, exclusive stories and digital content for passionate fans of the game.