Crystal Palace star Jean-Philippe Mateta has revealed his plastic surgeon had to save his ear after refusing to show him a picture of his injury suffered following a horror tackle with Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts.
The French strike faced a lengthy spell on the sideline after he was hospitalised straight from Selhurst Park and required 26 stitches earlier this month.
It is understood that Mateta could step on the football pitch again in the FA Cup clash against Fulham at Craven Cottage following the end of the international break - expectedly with a protective mask.