Crystal Palace boss Oliver Glasner provides positive update on Jean-Philippe Mateta and Adam Wharton

Oliver Glasner has said Jean-Philippe Mateta 'seems to be ready' for a return to action in the UEFA Conference League on Thursday night.

Crystal Palace play host to Fiorentina in the first leg of their quarter-final, with either Shakhtar Donetsk or AZ Alkmaar awaiting in the semi-finals should they progress.

The Eagles will be without Jorgen Strand Larsen through suspension, while Eddie Nketiah, who looked ready for a return having spent three months out injured, suffered a hamstring injury in training.

The good news is that Mateta is in line to make his first start since 25th January. The Frenchman came off the bench against Leeds prior to the international break and is now set for a starting berth.

Glasner said: "JP played the full 90 minutes in an in-house game, and scored three goals, so he seems to be ready!

"He was out for six weeks in total where he couldn’t train with us and we had to build him up to being ready. I don’t know if he can play the full 90 minutes tomorrow.

"I expect the game to be a little bit more intense than the in-house game, but he had the full week with us in training and he trained last week with us, and he showed that he is ready to start."

More good news comes in the shape of Adam Wharton, who picked up an injury on international duty with England, prompting his withdrawal from the squad.

"He had a minor adductor issue with England but it’s all sorted,” Glasner added. "He trained the whole week and is available tomorrow.

"The England team managed the minutes very well and so we are pleased that Adam also got a little bit of a break, and then started to prepare for the Fiorentina game by Sunday."