Jean-Philippe Mateta
CRYFrance
Right
Jun 28, 1997
28
6'4"
194 lb
CF
--
Poacher
PalaceRanking
News
Will be rested against Newcastle
Mateta will be rested for Sunday's clash against Newcastle, according to coach Oliver Glasner, per Sam Tabuteau of Standard Sport.
Analysis: Mateta made a goal-scoring return to fitness in Thursday's 3-0 win over Fiorentina in the UEFA Conference League, but coach Glasner is taking a measured approach to his reintegration after a lengthy absence. The Frenchman is still building his way back to full match sharpness and the April 20 clash against West Ham is shaping up as a more realistic target for him to build more minutes. With the World Cup on the horizon, getting Mateta fully fit and firing before the end of the season remains the priority for both club and player. Jorgen Strand Larsen will be the one starting as the striker against the Magpies.
Still building minutes
Mateta is still regaining fitness and will likely be limited for a few more games, according to manager Oliver Galsner. "It was the plan now to get him back, and also have him available and give him a few minutes to get him back in. Then, we have three weeks. Then, we'll use the three weeks to get him into a better shape and into a better rhythm. And then having JP in a better shape than he is now and helping us maybe for 30 minutes or 45 or even for 60 minutes."
Analysis: Mateta returned to the field Thursday in Conference League action, earning some time off the bench. That said, he is not set to build up minutes in the next few games as he works on his fitness, needing some time after the decent absence. The hope for the future is still to push for the French World Cup team, needing a solid end to the season after his injury for that to come to fruition.
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