The Athletic's Crystal Palace journalist Matt Woosnam has recently provided some details about Jean-Philippe Mateta's situation at the club.

Mateta had joined Palace on a loan deal in the January transfer window and his term at the club ends after 18 months, when the Eagles have the option to sign him. However, the striker has not featured regularly for Roy Hodgson's men in recent weeks.

Woosnam provides Mateta update

The Athletic recently opened up a Q&A session for Palace fans ahead of their game against Everton. One fan asked Woosnam about Mateta and his lack of involvement in the Palace first-team under Hodgson.

The 23-year-old didn't start against the Toffees on Monday either, but Woosnam revealed that the striker is a long-term signing for Palace even though Mateta was aware of a plan to use him this season. The journalist compared him to Michy Batshuayi, saying that his hold-up play isn't great and he doesn't fit into Hodgson's plan and tactics at the moment.

Here's what the journalist said in full: "He is on an 18-month loan, he was aware that the plan was to use him here and there in this season and then see how he does going forward. It's a longer-term signing who can contribute now but is there for the future. Based on his performances to date and also what can be gleaned from the data and observations from previous clubs, he is someone who needs service and the ball to come to him, he doesn't hold it up well. To some extent there are similarities with Batshuayi.

"But he doesn't particularly suit Hodgson's system or style at the moment."

Despite limited game-time, Mateta has already scored once for Palace, finding the back of the net against Brighton back in February (Transfermarkt).

Mateta signing could work out in the long-term

Before arriving at Palace, the £13.5m-rated Mateta had impressed for Mainz this season. He played 15 Bundesliga games for them, scoring seven times and getting one assist for the club. He also got three goals in two DFB Pokal games for Die Nullfünfer (as per Transfermarkt).

It shows that he is certainly an able goalscorer and, while he might not fit Hodgson's system, the manager's contract at Palace runs out in the summer. Palace could well have a new man in charge from next season onwards, and perhaps that could help Mateta to flourish at Selhurst Park.

In other news, many Palace fans have been reacting to a news about Eddie Howe - read more here.