Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta said his ear was “destroyed” following a challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts and could have suffered an even more serious head injury had he not turned his head at the last moment.
The Frenchman required 25 stitches in his ear after Roberts came off his line and caught Mateta in the face with a high foot. The 27-year-old could return to action for Palace’s FA Cup quarter-final against Fulham at the end of the month after his ear was saved by surgery.
