Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta is set to return against Fulham in the FA Cup after suffering a serious ear injury from a horror tackle by Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts earlier this month. Roberts was sent off for the dangerous challenge and later handed a six-match ban by the FA. Mateta, now cleared to play, confirmed his return on Instagram with the caption: “It’s time.” To protect his injury, Mateta will wear a special mask to prevent further damage.

Tottenham full-back Djed Spence has criticized former manager Antonio Conte, revealing that his confidence reached an all-time low under his leadership. “It wasn’t a nice feeling,” Spence told the Rio Ferdinand Presents podcast. “Especially as I was coming to the club on a high, I was confident, I was buzzing, had just won promotion. “Then it was like running into a brick wall. It shattered my confidence a bit, obviously I’m young. It’s not nice to hear. “I knew it was rubbish at the time. It wasn’t a nice feeling. I was even going into the club like (puffs out cheeks) and, ‘What am I doing?’” “I feel like whatever I did, that man wasn’t happy about anything. “Even if you did the right things, you were like, ‘Did I do the right thing?’ because he’s not really a complimenting guy. “It gets to a point where you don’t really need validation from a coach. You just go, ‘Oh’. “I probably had one conversation with him.” Spence admits his belief needed building up once Conte had departed. “I think I’ve been a victim of being too humble,” he said. “Thinking things are just going to happen by not doing nothing and not saying nothing. But sometimes you have to express yourself. “In my first year at Tottenham, I feel I gave a bit too much respect to the players and the surroundings, because it’s Tottenham. I came from Forest, I’m going to the Premier League, a top-six club, and I thought, ‘Phew, this is big’. “I feel I gave them too much respect in regards I didn’t really believe in myself.” Spence added: “I’d say this season (that’s changed). I’ve got no time to waste now. I’ve got to go get it, it’s time.”

Chelsea are reportedly open to signing Jadon Sancho permanently from Manchester United, despite a £5 million cancellation clause in the deal. Sancho joined Chelsea on loan in August with a £25 million purchase obligation. However, after a strong start, his form has dipped, raising speculation about the club’s next move. Manager Enzo Maresca remains pleased with Sancho’s progress since his fallout with Erik ten Hag at United. Meanwhile, Chelsea may still look to strengthen on the wing, having been linked with Alejandro Garnacho in January.

Mauricio Pochettino is unlikely to return to Tottenham soon due to the massive compensation required to release him from his role as USA head coach. The former Spurs boss, who left in 2019, remains a fan favorite but is focused on leading the United States into the 2026 World Cup. BBC Sport reports his release fee would be among the highest in football history. With Tottenham’s current manager Ange Postecoglou still in charge, bringing Pochettino back would come at a huge financial cost, making a reunion unlikely.

England U21 coach Lee Carsley hails Arsenal talent Ethan Nwaneri after debut goal in 4-2 win over Portugal. Carsley said: “It’s definitely a finish he’s got. “So you know he’s going to go, touch, finish and he took his goal so well. “He took his goal so well, but we have to keep remembering he’s 18. Unbelievable, isn’t it? “So we just have to encourage these guys; it’s important the rest of the team support him as well because I’m not sure it’s always going be as progressive as it is. “But what an impression he has made. It’s important we look after him and make sure that, going to the tournament in the summer, is that the right thing. “Well obviously we’ll work with Arsenal and make sure that we’re on the same page.”

Crystal Palace star Ebere Eze expressed his pride after netting his first England goal. He became the club’s first player in 49 years to score for the national team in the World cup. “I always want to impact the game,” Eze told ITV Sport after the match. “Whenever I play, however long I get. “Today, it’s come off and I’m happy to get a goal as well and contribute. “I just tried to create space. I tried to destabilise the defender and get my shot off – and it worked today.” Eze added: “You know the qualities that he’s got. He’s capable of hitting dead balls like that – and it’s expected at his quality. “It was a strong performance from us. We knew what we needed to do today. It was important to win, and that’s the main thing. I think we did well.”

Former footballer Joey Barton received a 12-week suspended sentence for assaulting his wife, Georgia, at their home in 2021. Barton, 42, was found guilty of kicking her in the head after a drunken argument. The court dismissed his defense as “untruthful” but suspended his sentence for two years, citing their ongoing relationship. Despite Georgia later retracting her allegations, prosecutors deemed her initial 999 call strong evidence. Barton was also ordered to pay over £2,000 in costs.