Bristol City defender Christian Ribeiro expects to return to Colchester United on loan after injury (From Gazette Series)

Bristol City defender Christian Ribeiro expects to return to Colchester United on loan after injury

9:12am Thursday 25th February 2010

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CHRISTIAN RIBEIRO has remained upbeat after his latest injury setback.

The Bristol City defender, who grew up in Berkeley, suffered a groin strain in the second appearance of his one-month loan spell at Colchester United, which expired this week.

Ribeiro, 20, was keen to get some games under his belt at the League One promotion hopefuls after being on the fringes at Ashton Gate, with his only appearance since returning from a year out with a cruciate ligament injury suffered on his debut coming in the Carling Cup last September .

He moved to Stockport on loan in November and made seven starts for the League One strugglers before being recalled by City.

The Wales under-21 international then joined Colchester before the end of the January transfer window and was man-of-the-match on his debut against Gillingham before being forced off in his first home game against MK Dons.

However, Ribeiro is keen on a return to Colchester once he recovers in order to get more first team experience.

“I’d like to play more games, I feel like I’ve got unfinished business there,” he said.

“It was nice to get Saturday to Saturday football as a first team player - I do enjoy it.

“It was so disappointing to get injured but I will come back stronger.”

Colchester’s interest in Ribeiro started when he impressed against them while playing for Stockport and the youngster spoke highly of U’s boss Aidy Boothroyd.

He said: “That spurred me on to come because he knows what sort of player I am.”

“He’s very supportive of me, I’m just disappointed I can’t repay the faith he’s shown in me.

“He’s an excellent man manager so hopefully I’ll get the chance to play for him again and win games for him.”

Ribeiro, who was staying at a Holiday Inn at Colchester, has one other target he would like to achieve this season.

“I’d love to score my first senior goal,” he said.

“I had a few chances at Stockport in the few games there so if I get another chance fingers crossed I will put it away.”

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