On Mateta, who has been nursing a knee injury since January, the Manager added: “No [he is not ready for 90 minutes] – he didn’t train for five or six weeks on the pitch, and he’s now back for three days, so no chance [of 90 minutes].
“But it’s good to have him back. He showed in training he’s always able to create chances, score goals, and that’s why it’s good to have him back.”
Mateta’s return sees Palace’s strength in attacking depth further bolstered, following the additions of Brennan Johnson, Evann Guessand and Jørgen Strand Larsen in the winter transfer window.
Glasner added: “That was the target of the winter transfer window: to strengthen our attack, because we were often short of numbers, and I think the club did a great job regarding the strengthening our attack.
“The new players are really getting integrated [with the group] very well. It’s not one-way, it’s two-ways, but it’s quite easy because the player who are here are great lads, and so are the new ones as well, so it’s maybe easier.
“It just gives us more options and we need this now. We have a three-game week again, and are expecting a very physical and intense game against Leeds, where we got punished at Elland Road [in December].
“Therefore, we need all these options, and it’s good to have them.”
Match Details
Crystal Palace v AEK Larnaca