Crystal Palace boss Patrick Vieira has intimated he doesn't expect to lose Jean-Philippe Mateta.

The striker is on-loan from Mainz and wanted by St Etienne.

Vieira said, "I think it was really difficult for him. Since joining this football club, he hasn't had many opportunities to play. Since I arrived, with the arrival of Christian and Edouard, he has had less time.

"But whenever the team needed him to play, he gave his best. He was rewarded with a few goals he scored, so he's here, he's with us, he's part of the team and the group.

"He's available, like everyone else, and then I have to make a decision, but he works very well every day and it's really difficult for me to choose the players up front."