PARIS (AP) — Crystal Palace striker Jean-Philippe Mateta was called up by France for the first time on Thursday for World Cup qualifiers against Azerbaijan and Iceland.

Coach Didier Deschamps is dealing with absences in attack that include injured Paris Saint-Germain strikers Désiré Doué and Ballon d’Or winner Ousmane Dembélé, as well as Marcus Thuram.

Mateta sustained a serious head injury last year that required 25 stitches on a severely lacerated ear. He has been a key part of Crystal Palace’s excellent start this season. The 28-year-old forward has four goals in 10 games in all competitions. Still unbeaten in the Premier League, the London club sits in third place behind Liverpool and Arsenal.

“He’s not exactly young, even if he went through almost all the youth national teams. Wh

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