CHRISTIAN RIBEIRO does not regret turning down Everton’s overtures despite suffering a cruciate ligament injury on his Bristol City debut.

The Wales Under-21 defender, who grew up in Berkeley, was a target for the Premier League club but decided to remain at Ashton Gate as he thought he stood a better chance of playing first-team football.

Ribeiro made his Robins debut in the club’s second game of the season but it was a bitter-sweet occasion as he suffered a serious knee injury after just half an hour of the Carling Cup first-round tie against Peterborough in August.

“It would be easy to have regrets wouldn’t it? But I don’t at all because you can’t legislate for what happened,” said the 18-year-old.

“I felt I had a better chance of playing at Bristol City and I was proved right because I got into the first team, it just so happened that was when I got injured.

“Obviously I was really flattered to be linked with a top Premier League club like Everton but I have been at Bristol City for a long time now and I have wanted to play for this team, so I stand by the decision.

“I am looking forward to getting fit again and picking up where I left off - by challenging for a place in the first team.”