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Crystal Palace’s Jean-Philippe Mateta Set for Return After Horrific Injury, Will Don Protective Headgear
Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta is poised to make his comeback this Saturday in the FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham, marking his first appearance since suffering a severe injury earlier this month. The Premier League striker endured a brutal challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts during a prior FA Cup match, necessitating oxygen and 26 stitches to his ear. Despite the ordeal, Mateta is ready to return to action, sporting protective headgear reminiscent of Petr Cech.
Mateta’s Road to Recovery
Following the violent collision in the FA Cup fifth round tie against Millwall, the French player’s injury sidelined him for only one game – a Premier League victory over Ipswich Town. This absence was largely due to the international break. Mateta has since resumed training and played 60 minutes in a friendly match, demonstrating his fitness for a full return.
Protective Gear and Manager’s Confidence
Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has expressed full confidence in Mateta’s readiness to play, dismissing any concerns about his top goalscorer’s return. Glasner confirmed that Mateta will wear specialized protective headgear for the FA Cup quarter-final clash at Fulham.
‘It’s similar to a water polo helmet, but designed for just one ear,’ Glasner explained. ‘In water polo, it prevents water from entering the ears. In Jean-Philippe’s case, it protects the injured side. It might seem unusual, but we are adapting to it.’
Inspiration from Petr Cech
Glasner recounted discussing protective headgear with the team doctor, referencing former Chelsea goalkeeper Petr Cech, who famously wore a helmet after a skull fracture. ‘I mentioned Petr Cech’s helmet, but the doctor pointed out that Cech’s ear was exposed, requiring a more comprehensive solution for Jean-Philippe. Initially, we considered a motorbike helmet, but it proved too cumbersome for training. Eventually, we found a suitable, lighter alternative.’
Mateta has been training for two weeks with the customized protection. ‘He also participated in an internal training game during the international break, playing for 60 minutes without any issues, proving his readiness,’ Glasner added.
‘The water polo helmet idea came to me as he is of similar stature to water polo players. While it appears somewhat peculiar, he assures us of its comfort. We hope it’s the right protection, perhaps even a lucky charm if he scores a header tomorrow.’
Dressing Room Banter and Team Support
Defender Chris Richards revealed that Mateta’s new headgear has made him a target of light-hearted dressing room jokes, comparing him to a wrestler or tennis player Francis Tiafoe due to a headband element of the gear.
‘He resembles a wrestler,’ Richards joked. ‘With the headband, we’ve been calling him Francis Tiafoe, the tennis player. There’s been some gentle teasing these past weeks.’
Despite the jokes, Richards emphasized Mateta’s unchanged demeanor on the training pitch. ‘In training, he’s exactly the same player. He seems to enjoy the extra attention, but he’s still the same Jean-Philippe. Has it made me hesitant to challenge him for a header? Not really. He’s got that ‘bionic ear’ now, so we’ll have to see how it goes.’
Richards’ Own Experience with Protective Gear
Richards, formerly of Bayern Munich, is familiar with protective gear, having worn a face mask for three weeks after fracturing his nose in Germany. ‘I felt like Batman wearing it, which was quite cool,’ he recalled. ‘Psychologically, it wasn’t a problem for me.’
Mateta’s Account of the Injury
In a recent interview, Mateta described the severity of the injury. ‘My initial fear was of broken bones or brain damage. But thankfully, it was just my ear that was damaged,’ he stated.
‘At the last moment, I instinctively turned my head. I was fortunate because if I hadn’t, his foot would have directly impacted my head, which could have been far more serious.’