Crystal Palace manager Oliver Glasner has delivered a positive update on the fitness of his squad ahead of Saturday lunchtime's FA Cup quarter-final tie with Fulham at Craven Cottage.
The Eagles will be attempting to reach the FA Cup semi-finals at Wembley Stadium for the second time in four seasons when they travel to West London.
Ahead of the all-Premier League contest, Glasner has confirmed that star striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is available for selection after sustaining a horrific ear injury in the previous round.
Mateta was rushed to St George's Hospital and required 25 stitches to a severe laceration to his left ear after being kung-fu kicked in the head by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts in Palace's 3-1 FA Cup fifth-round win at Selhurst Park on March 1.
The 27-year-old Frenchman, who has said that his ear was "destroyed" by the challenge from Roberts, was fit to take part in Palace training over the international break and is required to wear a customised mask to protect his ear should he feature against Fulham.
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Glasner confirms Mateta boost, Hughes doubt
Speaking at a press conference on Friday, Glasner said: "He trains now for two weeks with us, of course, always with his protection, and it's also important for him to train a little bit.
"We had an internal game during the international break and he could play 60 minutes without any problems, so he's ready."
Commenting on Mateta's customised mask, Glasner jokingly added: "I said it looks a little bit strange, but he says he feels comfortable, so let's see! When he scores a header tomorrow it was the right mask, the right protection!"
Mateta has been a standout performer for Palace this season, scoring 15 goals in 33 matches across all competitions, including eight strikes in his last eight Premier League appearances, although he is yet to score in this season's FA Cup.
Meanwhile, Glasner has confirmed that every player who went away on international duty has returned fit and raring to go for Saturday, but a late call with be made on midfielder Will Hughes who is suffering with a bout of illness.
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"The positive thing is all players are fit and available - just Will Hughes is questionable," said Glasner. "He's a bit sick, so let's see how the afternoon and the night will be.
"But all others arrived back from the national teams in very good shape, and all the players who are here are fit. It's just Chadi Riad and Cheick Doucoure who are out for the rest of the season. All others are ready."
Glasner set to name his strongest team for Fulham clash
Asked if he intends to name his strongest possible team on Saturday, Glasner said: "I'm always a little bit surprised that this is a question. I've seen a lot of teams rotate a bit, especially in the League Cup. But for us we don't play international games, we just play these two cup competitions.
"Even if we played in the final of this competition, I think that would be 49 games this season. That's a normal number, the teams in the Championship play a similar amount if they reach the playoffs.
"I don't see a reason not to play the strongest team and I think this is also what the players deserve. When they perform good and train well, they show they can help the team - this is the team I will start, always."
Crystal Palace travel to Craven Cottage having already beaten Fulham away from home this season, winning 2-0 in the Premier League on February 22.
Oliver Thomas
