Jean-Philippe Mateta ‘to miss’ Leeds United trip as 12-goal striker sidelined | OneFootball

Crystal Palace will be without striker Jean-Philippe Mateta for Sunday’s visit to Leeds United, with his return not expected until next month.

Palace face Lech Poznan in the Europa League on Thursday before heading to Elland Road. According to The Standard, Mateta will miss both, with a return expected after the September/October international break.

The Frenchman started the opening 2-0 defeat at Everton, then suffered a hamstring issue days before Manchester City’s visit the following week. He has missed four matches in all competitions and looks set to sit out at least a couple more.

At the end of August, boss Pierre Sage called it a crazy situation and put his absence at roughly four weeks, citing a muscular problem.

Mateta was Palace’s top scorer last season with 12 Premier League goals. The 29-year-old had been open to leaving in January and again in the summer, but the injury ended any late-window move.

In his absence, January Leeds target Jorgen Strand Larsen is expected to lead the line at Elland Road. The Norwegian, a £48 million signing at the start of the year, has one goal this season.

Palace could also be without former on-loan Leeds striker Eddie Nketiah and talisman Ismaila Sarr. Defender Axel Disasi, on loan from Chelsea, starts a three-game ban after a red card against Ipswich last weekend.

A thin Palace squad must also juggle midweek European football. With the Europa League a level above the Europa Conference League they won last season, Sage might be less inclined to rotate, which could create weekend headaches.

Source: yorkshireeveningpost.co.uk

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