The injury that prevented Jean-Philippe Mateta’s deadline day transfer to Milan is “not as bad as feared,” Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner said on Tuesday.
Glasner says the 29-year-old France forward will not require surgery for his knee ailment.
A native of the Paris area, Mateta had been set for a move to the Rossoneri worth £30 million, but he failed a pair of physicals and was returned to Palace. Mateta has not played since a 3-1 loss to Chelsea on Jan. 25.
Glasner, whose club takes on Burnley at Selhurst Park on Wednesday, says he looks forward to welcoming a healthy Mateta back to action.
“I’m 100 per cent convinced that JP will give his best when he wears the Eagles shirt again, and I think then he deserves the best support,” Glasner said. “I’m pretty sure our fans will support him in the best way, appreciating what he has done for Crystal Palace. As long as a player is here, as long as a manager is here, as long as a staff member is here, then everybody can expect being 100 per cent committed to Crystal Palace, and that is what JP will show.”
Mateta is in his sixth season with the team. He has eight league goals in 23 appearances this season.
Capped three times by Les Bleus since his senior debut last year, Mateta hopes to be a part of Didier Deschamps’ France side at this summer’s FIFA World Cup.