Crystal Palacevs.Ipswich

Jean-Philippe Mateta has been discharged from hospital with 25 stitches in his left ear following a terribly high challenge from Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in Palace's 3-1 victory in the FA Cup fifth round last weekend.

The in-form striker will miss Saturday's clash with Ipswich, joining Chadi Riad (knee), Cheick Doucoure (knee) and Joel Ward (calf) in the treatment room, while Will Hughes is beginning a two-match suspension after receiving his 10th booking of the season last week.

In the absence of Mateta, Eddie Nketiah is poise to start up front and is likely to be joined in attack by Eberechi Eze and Ismaila Sarr, who scored a brace in Palace's 4-1 home win over Aston Villa in their last Premier League match.

Adam Wharton is set to take the place of Hughes and partner Jefferson Lerma in centre-midfield, while Ben Chilwell will continue to battle with Tyrick Mitchell for a start at left wing-back as Daniel Munoz retains his spot on the opposite flank.

A three-man backline of Marc Guehi, Maxence Lacroix and Chris Richards is expected to remain intact, protecting Dean Henderson between the sticks.

Crystal Palace possible starting lineup: Henderson; Richards, Lacroix, Guehi; Munoz, Wharton, Lerma, Mitchell; Sarr, Eze; Nketiah

Written by

Oliver Thomas