Crystal Palace rule out surgery for Jean-Philippe Mateta

Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta will not undergo surgery for a persistent knee problem that halted a £30 million ($41m) deadline-day move to AC Milan. The French forward had been pushing for a transfer but remained at Selhurst Park after the issue was flagged in his medical.

Head coach Oliver Glasner said the injury "is not as bad as feared" and that "he doesn't need surgery," with several doctors and specialists backing a non-surgical plan. Mateta will complete his rehab at the club's training ground and will miss periods of action while the knee is managed conservatively.

Undergoing an operation would have damaged Mateta's hopes of making Didier Deschamps' World Cup squad and complicated any summer move. When fit, he will aim to reclaim a place in Palace's starting XI and compete with new signing Jorgen Strand Larsen. Glasner added Mateta is not yet in full training and will need about another fortnight to strengthen the muscles around the knee before returning step by step.

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