Jean-Philippe Mateta sports HUGE bandage on his head in first TV interview since horror injury against Millwall as he makes shock admission over incident

It was fortunate the striker moved his head as Liam Roberts' studs approached Jean Philippe-Mateta wore a huge bandage on his left ear in a heartfelt interview with Sky Sports as he opened up on his horrific injury and surgery. The Crystal Palace striker says he didn't feel any pain when Millwall goalkeeper Liam Roberts kicked him in the head earlier this month - and even wanted to carry on playing. Jean-Philippe Mateta sported a gigantic bandage as he sat down for a chat with Sky Sports The Crystal Palace star says he felt no pain and wanted to play on after Millwall's Liam Roberts kicked him in the head Roberts has been banned for six matches after his red card - and apologised to Mateta 'I just moved my head and took everything. The Frenchman was hospitalised and required 26 stitches after being kicked in the head by goalkeeper Liam Roberts in the FA Cup Mateta has admitted the plastic surgeon 'did a hell of a job' in order to save his ear, which 'didn’t look like an ear any more' 'Everything was open, cut here, cut open, behind was worse, cut everywhere. Mateta has returned to Crystal Palace training sessions and could make an appearance after the international break The 27-year-old appeared with a black headband with a plaster below the ear and will wear a mask in his next game He also told L'Equipe: 'A plastic surgery specialist came and took pictures of my ear, which he refused to show me, so as not to let them stay in my head,' he continued.