Jean-Philippe Mateta scored on his first Crystal Palace start since January against Fiorentina last night.
Oliver Glasner has suggested Jean-Philippe Mateta will be rested against Newcastle United.
The Frenchman appeared indispensable for the Eagles in the first half of the season - scoring eight Premier League goals. He appeared set for a January deadline-day move to AC Milan in one of the most bizarre transfer sagas of the winter.
At the final hurdle, Mateta failed a medical, with examinations showing an inflammation issue on his right knee that required surgery. The 28-year-old decided against going under the knife but has barely kicked a ball for Palace since.
Mateta scored last night - his first start since January 25 - as Palace thumped Fiorentina 3-0 in the Conference League. With a clash against Newcastle on Sunday sandwiched in between both legs, Eagles boss Glasner is erring on the side of caution regarding his £40million striker.
Jean-Philippe Mateta set for Newcastle United rest
“I think that’s what JP (Mateta) deserves,” Glasner said about his performance. “He always gives 100 per cent effort to the team, 100 per cent effort for Crystal Palace, and he’s got so many important goals for us.
“He had a tough period. He had six weeks where he couldn't hit the ball and train on the pitch and he was really working hard to get back. I’m pleased for him, I’m pleased for Crystal Palace because he’s a great player, a great striker and we will need him.
“I think he will need to rest against Newcastle, but then it’s great to have Jorgen Strand Larsen back. It looks quite good right now.”
Crystal Palace on a European journey
While Newcastle’s continental hopes went up in smoke at Barcelona last month, Palace are now red-hot favourites to lift Europe’s third-rate competition. Glasner hailed the home crowd for delivering a “special atmosphere” - one that awaits the Magpies this weekend.
“It’s a pleasure for everybody as long as the European journey lasts,” he added. “Of course, Fiorentina is a big name, Italian football is a big name, and so everybody expected a very tight game.
“In the last games, it felt like everybody expected a clear win. The circumstances were different. I think all of this created a special atmosphere today, and I think this is the special atmosphere we always need.
“Playing a European competition is always something special, especially when you have it the first time in your club’s history. Today I could feel that there was something special, and I think it was a special atmosphere and a special performance.”
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