Overview
- Manager Oliver Glasner said multiple doctors judged the knee issue less severe than first feared and advised against an operation.
- Mateta will complete the next phase of his recovery at Palace’s training ground, with no specific return date provided.
- An agreed January transfer to AC Milan, reported at roughly £26m (€30m), was abandoned after medical checks raised concerns.
- Glasner expects competition up front with record signing Jørgen Strand Larsen once Mateta is fit, and he urged fans to back the striker on his return.
- Avoiding surgery is viewed in coverage as a boost to Mateta’s World Cup chances, though his short-term availability remains uncertain.