Despair for Ribs

Christian ‘Ribs’ Ribeiro was stretchered off after less than half an hour of his full Bristol City debut against Peterborough United in the Carling Cup tie on Tuesday night. The club have revealed that the Welsh U21 international has suffered damage to his anterior cruciate ligament which requires surgery on Thursday. It will typically rule him out of action for up to a year but, with the best medical treatment available to him and because he is still only 18, it is felt that he may well make a return to action before the seasons end. The injury is a blow to Christian, Bristol City and the Wales international set up because the right back has shown considerable promise as a professional footballer. All at Vital Bristol City wish him a speedy recovery.

In an ironic twist Bristol City have been drawn against Crewe Alexandra in the next round of the Carling Cup. City paid Crewe £2.25 million late last month for the services of striker Nicky Maynard. It is understood that Nicky is able to feature in the game because there is no agreement between the clubs to bar him from playing against them.