Mateta with the aim of returning FA Cup with a crystal palace after a face injury

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta targets a return to the FA Cup action action next week against Fulham-I will need to wear a protective mask.

Mateta suffered a serious injury earlier this month in a fifth match against Millwall after a reckless challenge of goalkeeper Liam Roberts.

Obtaining resulted in Mateta hitting her head, demanding immediate medical attention and traveling to the hospital.

Speaking in an interview with L’Equipe, Mateta shared that his primary damage was in his ear, describing her as “just destroyed.”

He admitted that the outcome could have been significantly worse.

“I was afraid I would break bones or blood in my brain, but in fact, my ear was just destroyed,” Mateta said.

“At the last minute, I had a reflex to turn my face. I was lucky, because if I didn’t, I’d take his foot right to his head, and it would be much worse.

Jean-Philippe Mateta revealed his plastic surgeon ‘Save ear’ after the horror of goalkeeper Millwall Liam Roberts 😲🏥 pic.twitter.com/jenzbyuql

– Mail Sport (@mailSport) March 18, 2025

“After that, I never lost consciousness. I lay on the ground and I told the doctor,” I’m fine, I want to play again. “But he, seeing my ear, replied,” No, you have to go. “

“Plastic surgery expert came and took a picture of my ear, which he refused to show me so he wouldn’t let them stay in my head.

“Obviously, it no longer looked like an ear. At the beginning of the surgery, the surgeon had a lot of problems, but after that, as he explained to me, he found a way to save my ear. He did a hellish job.”

After surgery, Mateta was fired from the hospital. Meanwhile, Crystal Palace secured a 3-1 victory over Millwall, and Roberts got a six-game suspension due to his reckless challenge.

Looking in advance, Palace will meet Fulham later this month in the FA Cup quarterfinals, and Mateta is eager to be available for selection.

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

“Next week I should be able to participate in training, but I will need a mask for that while my ear ends the healing.

“I sent several models and I will have to choose between those who just cover the ear and others who cover the whole face.”