Jean Philippe Mateta has been spotted wearing a Petr Cech-esque headgear as he returns to training following a horror challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
The French striker had to be administered oxygen and sent to hospital when Roberts' boot made contact with Mateta's head in a terrifying challenge. 25 stitches had to be applied to the forward's ear following the FA Cup clash.
The 27-year-old is now looking at a swift return to football when Crystal Palace face off against Fulham in their FA Cup quarter-final at Craven Cottage. Training hasn’t been easy for Mateta, as he’s had to wear a protective water polo-style helmet—something Chelsea and Arsenal fans may find familiar.
“It’s like a water polo helmet, but with one ear," Eagles boss Oliver Glasner said ahead of their weekend cup game. "I said to the doctor I remember Petr Cech wearing a helmet and he said, ‘Yeah but the ear was free (uncovered), so we need the full helmet’.
"One of them was like you would use to ride a motorbike, but he couldn’t train with this because it was too heavy. Then we found the right one."
Glasner went on to say: “I didn’t talk with him [Mateta] about comfort. It was a discussion between him and the doctor. He’s had this protection for the last 10 days, and he did well in training. He looks the same as he did before.
“He needed to get back into his rhythm because he couldn’t really train for two weeks, with one week spent at home and the second training individually. It’s lucky that nothing was fractured and there was no concussion. It was just the ear. I know it was a terrible injury. Some players say that the ear looks better than before now."
He continued: “Our medical team did a great job finding the right protection. There were three different ones he tried. If I believe it’s a problem, I wouldn’t play him, but it looks like it isn’t a problem."
Chelsea legend Cech famously wore a head protector for the rest of his career following a skull fracture in 2006 when he collided with Reading player Stephen Hunt. The Czech superstar dived to make a save at the feet of Hunt which lead to the keeper sustaining a blow to the head.
Similar to a rugby cap, the headgear is designed to absorb impact and provide an extra layer of cushioning for the skull. It also meant, following Cech's injury, he could play with confidence. Glasner will be hoping Mateta feels the same sense of security as he works towards his return to action.