adminMatheus Franca will miss the midweek Premier League clash against Aston Villa as the Crystal Palace striker continues his return to full fitness, having not played in the top-flight for the Eagles since March 2024.
Since joining the Eagles at the start of the 2023-24 season, the Brazilian has had a variety of injuries which have kept him out of action.
With 60 minutes played for the U21s last week and a few minutes as a late substitute in the FA Cup win at Doncaster earlier this month, hopes were high that the 20-year-old would be back to full fitness soon, but a busy fixture period of three games in seven days means the opportunity for the young South American to train fully have been limited.
“He won’t be in the squad tomorrow. The reason is that we didn’t really train yesterday – just a group of nine players training, and you can only do training in a small group, today was just activation,” explained Glasner.
“There will be, let’s say, ‘better’ training on Wednesday because we have one more day to the Millwall (FA Cup) game on Saturday. We want to play 11 against 11 (in training) which he especially needs. [After Millwall] we then have a full week again [ahead of the Ipswich game], but then we go to Marbella with a friendly game where he should get minutes.”
Due to the Eagles’ clash with Newcastle United next month being postponed thanks to the league cup exploits of the north-east side, plus a scheduled international break, over three weeks separate the Ipswich game (March 8) to Palace’ next scheduled game, against Southampton (April 2) – although if the Eagles beat Millwall in the last 16 of the FA Cup this Saturday, they will move into the quarter-finals, scheduled for March 29.
Whatever the gap, that, combined with the warm weather training and friendly match in Spain will allow further time for Franca to make his full recovery complete, something which Glasner wants to ensure happens.
“It’s not important being back one or two weeks earlier [than expected], it’s important that when you are back, you’re back for the rest of the season. That’s what we take care and know,” said Glasner.
“I have mentioned it quite often – I’m very impatient. All the players are very impatient, and they want more and more, but this is about communicating and explaining things to the players in the best way.
“He’s been out for almost 10 months now.
“Mateus himself has to trust us – we want the best for every single player. With all the knowledge and experience of the medical department, rehab staff, fitness team and football/coaching staff we will help him to be back on his best level. This is what we’re telling them, what we are trying to convince them, and, in the end, what we’re doing.”
ZHAKE
Qudus Salihu
