By ABDI RASHID
Published: 07:26 EDT, 29 March 2025 | Updated: 07:28 EDT, 29 March 2025
Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta has made his return to the side three weeks after being hit by a horrific kung-fu kick by Millwall keeper Liam Roberts earlier this month.
The Frenchman needed oxygen and 25 stitches to his ear after being brutally taken out during his club's FA Cup fifth round tie with Millwall.
He missed just one match for his club — a 1-0 Premier League home win against Ipswich — due to the international break but has been training and got through 60 minutes in a friendly.
Mateta has now been named in Oliver Glasner's starting XI for Palace's FA Cup quarter-final clash with Fulham.
Mateta was on the receiving end of a horror challenge by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts