- The Frenchman was seen in Crystal Palace team apparel in an image on X
- Mateta, 27, required 26 stitches after suffering the injury in the FA Cup
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Jean-Philippe Mateta has been pictured for the first time since suffering an injury that left him hospitalised and required 26 stitches.
The Frenchman faced a spell on the sidelines after sustaining the injury against Millwall in an FA Cup tie between the two sides at the start of the month.
The 27-year-old could be nearing a return to action after an image surfaced of him online in team apparel.
Posting to X, formerly Twitter, an image used by the account @PalaceReport hinted that Mateta may be back in action sooner than initially expected.
Mateta can be seen sporting a black headband with a plaster below the ear that required stitches.
The original poster drew a comparison between Mateta and American tennis star Frances Tiafoe as a result.
The 27-year-old could be nearing a return to action after an image surfaced of him online in team apparel
The Frenchman faced a spell on the sidelines after sustaining the injury against Millwall i
According to his manager Oliver Glasner, Mateta could be back in action by the end of this month.
Glasner said that he is expected to return for Crystal Palace’s FA Cup quarter-final with Fulham on March 29.
His injury against Millwall came when goalkeeper Liam Roberts caught him with a high foot and was subsequently sent off.
Only five minutes had been played in the heavily-policed FA Cup clash between the south London rivals when Roberts was red carded for crashing into Mateta.
Posting on Instagram after the injury, Mateta wrote on Instagram: ‘I’m doing well. I hope to be back very soon. And stronger than ever. Well done guys for the great job today. I love you.’
Prior to Mateta being pictured, Wayne Rooney urged a top Premier League club to hijack Manchester United’s reported move for Jean-Philippe Mateta.
Speaking to BBC Sport, Rooney said Mateta ‘is a big, strong lad who scores a lot of goals’.
Wayne Rooney has urged a top Premier League club to hijack Manchester United’s reported move for Jean-Philippe Mateta
‘From watching Arsenal over the past few games in the Premier League, they have put a lot of balls into the box without having anyone to get on the end of them.
‘I am sure he would help from that point of view,’ said the former Man United legend.
Mateta, who is valued at £40million, has now become heavily linked with a move elsewhere as a result of his fine form in front of goal.
It has seen Man United linked with a move for the Frenchman, but Rooney says that Arsenal should make a move for the Eagles frontman.
