Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta has revealed his plastic surgeon had to save his ear after refusing to show him a picture of his injury suffered following a horror tackle with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts. 

The French striker, 27, faced a lengthy spell on the sideline after he was hospitalised straight from Selhurst Park and required 26 stitches earlier this month.

It is understood that Mateta could step on the football pitch again in the FA Cup clash against Fulham at Craven Cottage following the end of the international break – expectedly with a protective mask.

‘I was afraid I’d have broken bones or blood in my brain but in fact, my ear was just destroyed,’ said Mateta.

‘At the last moment, I had the reflex to turn my face. I was lucky because if I hadn’t, I would have taken his foot right in the head, and it would have been much worse.’

Jean-Philippe Mateta has revealed his ear was ‘destroyed’ following his horror injury against Milwall earlier this month 

The Frenchman was hospitalised and required 26 stitches after being kicked in the head by goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the FA Cup

Liam Roberts has been banned for six matches after his red card – and apologised to Mateta

Mateta’s injury against Millwall came when goalkeeper Roberts caught him with a high foot – resulting in a straight red card.

The incident occurred just five minutes after the starting whistle of the FA Cup clash between the South London rivals.

Roberts was handed a six-match band for the kick but later revealed he apologised to Mateta, denying there was any malice behind his tackle.

Quizzed whether he had forgiven him, the Frenchman said: ‘I told him, “Don’t worry, it’s not that serious”.

‘He could have avoided doing that, but these things happen.’

After his injury required 26 stitches, the Frenchman returned to the Eagles’ training sessions with a black headband with a plaster below the ear.

‘A plastic surgery specialist came and took pictures of my ear, which he refused to show me, so as not to let them stay in my head,’ he continued. ‘Obviously, it didn’t look like an ear any more. 

‘At the beginning of the operation, the surgeon had a lot of trouble, but afterwards, as he explained to me, he found a way to save my ear. He did a hell of a job.

Mateta has admitted the plastic surgeon ‘did a hell of a job’ in order to save his ear, which ‘didn’t look like an ear any more’

The Frenchman has returned to Crystal Palace training sessions and could make an appearance after the international break

The 27-year-old appeared with black headband with a plaster below the ear and will wear a mask in his next game

‘I have to be careful to prevent it from getting infected, I have to wash it every time I sweat.

The injury abruptly halted his outstanding form throughout this season, with 12 goals in the Premier League. 

Mateta is currently valued at £40million and was heavily linked with a move elsewhere throughout the entire winter transfer window.

It is expected that Manchester United and Arsenal are expected to compete for the player’s signature this summer.

‘Next week, I should be able to participate in training matches, but for that, I’ll need a mask while my ear finishes healing.

‘I’ve been sent several models, and I’ll have to choose between those that just cover the ear and others that cover the whole face.’