Crystal Palace forward Jean-Philippe Mateta has been given the all-clear to return to action less than a month after a horror challenge left him needing 25 stitches to an ear injury.
The 27-year-old Frenchman will wear a special mask to protect his left ear, Sky Sports News reported.
Mateta is expected to be available for Palace’s FA Cup quarter-final clash with Fulham on Saturday and wrote “it’s time” in a post on Instagram.
It was in the fifth round of the cup on 1 March when Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts was sent off for the high challenge which saw Mateta stretchered off and taken to hospital.
Roberts was given a six-match ban for the tackle which overshadowed Palace’s 3-1 victory.
“I am devastated by what happened,” the goalkeeper later said. “I unequivocally accept the red card as awarded and accept my punishment.”
In an exclusive interview with Sky Sports News last week, Mateta was asked about the timeframe for his return.
He said: “I don’t know. I’m still in touch with the specialists and the doctor. Hopefully, soon.
“Hopefully, I can play [vs Fulham]. Hopefully, they can see me. I’m in the ground every day.
“I need to wear a mask, I need to wear something. I will take the best one that is most comfortable.”
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He also revealed he did not realise the extent of the injury to his ear.
“When he kicked me, I was on the floor waiting for him to get the red card,” said Mateta.
“I was good to go. I thought, ‘just get the blood off and keep going’.
“I was arguing with the doctor for 30 seconds, saying I wanted to play. The doctor saw the injury, but I couldn’t see it. I couldn’t feel pain. The blood, for sure.
“But I thought it was a little cut. My ear was like this (dangling). But it was not painful.”
