Matt Doherty has been sidelined for four weeks with an injury sustained at Crystal Palace.

Crystal Palace will lose Jean-Philippe Mateta for a minimum of four weeks. The French striker was injured during an individual session, manager Pierre Sage confirmed on Friday. "He got injured two days ago at the end of a session doing individual work. We could lose him for at least four weeks," he explained in a press conference after his team's 4-1 defeat against Manchester City.

A contractual dispute in the background

This absence comes amid tension between Mateta and his club. The French international is challenging the validity of the last ten months of his contract with Crystal Palace, which officially runs until June 2027. This challenge has been made public according to BBC reports. Relations between the player and the London club are therefore strained, just days before the transfer window closes. This situation could complicate negotiations over his future, as several clubs are interested in his profile. Crystal Palace continues to underperform in the Premier League, as evidenced by the heavy 4-1 defeat to Manchester City. With Mateta sidelined, Pierre Sage's squad will have to compensate for the absence of a key striker. The London club, currently struggling in the league, will also have to manage the end of the transfer window in a tense atmosphere. It remains to be seen whether this sporting and contractual setback will push Crystal Palace to speed up discussions with Mateta or consider a departure before the transfer window closes.