Daniel Munoz is set to have surgery for a knee injury, while Jean-Philippe Mateta did not travel with Crystal Palace for their Conference League match against Shelbourne. Oliver Glasner confirmed these
updates. Munoz missed the Eagles' 2-1 win over Fulham in the Premier League and will be sidelined for a short period. Glasner hopes it won't be a long-term issue.
French striker Mateta is also dealing with knee problems. Glasner decided not to risk his fitness by including him in the squad. However, he remains optimistic that Mateta will resume training by week's end. "We will miss Dani for a few weeks, he will undergo surgery. JP will rest," Glasner stated.
Both players stayed home due to their injuries, which Glasner described as unfortunate news. The team currently sits 18th in the league standings after four games. "We have to manage his knee, so he's stayed at home," Glasner added regarding Mateta's condition.
The manager expressed caution about Munoz's surgery, acknowledging the uncertainty that comes with such procedures. "Always when you undergo surgery, you never know," he said. Despite this, he remains hopeful about Munoz's recovery timeline.
As Crystal Palace prepares for their European fixture in Ireland, Glasner made it clear he won't be trying Guinness during the trip. He shared a light-hearted memory from his past visit with Austria Under-21s: "Sorry to everyone, but I don't like Guinness! I tried it afterwards and I didn't like it unfortunately!"
It's a no to Guinness for the boss Sorry to everyone, but I don't like Guinness! I played here many years ago with Austria under-21s. I tried a Guinness afterwards and I didn't like it unfortunately! pic.twitter.com/KZ576zZaXw
- Crystal Palace F.C. (@CPFC) December 10, 2025
The team faces a challenging schedule with ten games before January 10th. This period will test the squad's depth and resilience as they navigate through various competitions without key players like Munoz and Mateta.
The plan is for Mateta to return to training on Friday and potentially be available soon after. This timeline offers some hope for his quick return to action.
