LONDON (AP) – Jean-Philippe Mateta will not be included in Crystal Palace’s squad for Sunday’s Premier League trip to Nottingham Forest as he approaches a move away from the club.
Palace manager Oliver Glasner says the French striker, who has been linked with a move to AC Milan in the British media, is not in the right frame of mind to play at the City Ground.
“I can confirm that JP will not be in the matchday squad,” Glassner said.
“It has nothing to do with the transfer at the moment. He’s just not in the right place to play right now. To protect the team and protect him, that’s why he’s not going to Nottingham.”
Glasner, who recently confirmed he would be leaving Palace at the end of the season, said the club were “working hard” to find Mateta’s replacement.
“To be clear, JP could stay and be a Crystal Palace player on February 2, or JP could leave the club and a new striker could come in,” Glasner said.
“To me, these are two situations that we’re talking about and discussing right now.”
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