Mateta to avoid knee surgery but no timeframe on return from injury

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·10 février 2026

Mateta to avoid knee surgery but no timeframe on return from injury

Jean-Philippe Mateta will not undergo surgery on a knee injury, but Oliver Glasner could not provide a potential return date for the Crystal Palace striker.

The Eagles had agreed to sell the France international to AC Milan at the end of the January transfer window, but the move was scuppered after he failed a medical.

Vidéos OneFootball

Reports suggested that Mateta would require surgery and could miss three to four months of action. However, Glasner has revealed that the problem afflicting his knee is not as bad as initially thought.

Mateta to avoid knee surgery but no timeframe on return from injury

“Fortunately he does not need surgery,” the Austrian coach said at his pre-match press conference ahead of Palace’s Premier League clash with Burney on Wednesday night.

“The knee, the injury is not as bad as feared and so we think and the opinion from several specialists and doctors is that we can deal with the knee in a better way than with surgery. He will miss a certain time, I can’t say two weeks, three weeks, four weeks. He doesn’t need surgery, that is positive and hopefully he is back soon.”

Mateta had hoped a move to Milan would boost his chances of making the France squad for the 2026 FIFA World Cup in North America, but he faces an uphill battle to book a seat on the plane.

“It was a disappointment but he is looking forward to the next months,” Glasner added. “It is good for him now that there is a final decision taken. Of course at the end he took the final decision with the recommendations with specialists and the medical departments, so they will do the rehab here at the training ground.

“He wants to be back as soon as possible and contribute to achieve our goals. That is his mindset and I think that is the best he can do.”

Despite Mateta’s insistence on leaving Palace last month, Glasner has no concerns over his commitment to the club between now and the end of the season.

“It’s important for him now that it’s clear he will be a Crystal Palace player, at least until the summer.

“Right now, he doesn’t need surgery, so it is clear what we need to do in the next couple of weeks. Clarity is the most important thing.

“I am 100 per cent convinced that JP will give us his best when he wears the Eagles shirt again.

“I think he deserves the best support and I am pretty sure our fans will support him in the best way. They appreciate what he has done for Crystal Palace.”

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