Wales under-21 international defender Christian Ribeiro makes Championship debut for Bristol City (From Gazette Series)

Wales under-21 international defender Christian Ribeiro makes Championship debut for Bristol City

6:40pm Sunday 21st March 2010 in

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CHRISTIAN RIBEIRO made his league debut for Bristol City in the Sky-televised clash against former Premiership giants Newcastle United yesterday.

The former Wanswell Wanderers youth player played the full 90 minutes as City drew 2-2 with the Championship leaders at Ashton Gate, having led 2-0 at one stage.

Defender Ribeiro damaged his cruciate ligament on his first team debut for the club in a League Cup match against Peterborough in August 2008 and his only other previous start came in the same competition against Carlisle this season after a year out injured.

He had a loan spell at Stockport County earlier this season before joining their League One rivals Colchester United in January, and he was expected to return there after impressing on his debut before picking up a groin injury on his second start.

Gary Johnson, who vacated his managerial position last week by mutual consent, was criticised by some sections of City supporters for not giving youth a chance but caretaker manager Keith Millen wasted no time in giving Ribeiro his big break after an injury to Liam Fontaine.

The 20-year-old was linked with a £450,000 move to Everton in 2008, has starred for the Wales under-21 side this season and was even called into the senior squad for a World Cup qualifier against Russia.