CHRISTIAN RIBEIRO believes he can carry on from where he left off after recovering from his injury nightmare.

The 19-year-old defender, who grew up in Berkeley, has played a full part in Bristol City’s pre-season programme, including 30 minutes against former European Champions Ajax.

To complete his joy he was recalled to the Wales under-21s squad last week to face Hungary at the Racecourse Ground, Wrexham, on August 12 - a year to the day since he suffered that horrific cruciate ligament injury 26 minutes into his Bristol City debut against Peterborough in a Carling Cup tie.

Ribeiro, once linked with a £750,000 move to Everton, is held in high regard by City boss Gary Johnson and now has his sights set on breaking into the first team squad - just as he did before his unfortunate setback.

“In the first half of the season I’ll look to get back to fitness and my confidence like it was before. Once that is gone and I’m feeling fresh, I’ll try and push to get into the first XI or I may go out on loan to get some games - we’ll wait and see.

“There are seven subs this year so it makes it easier to get into the squad.”

“Hopefully in a couple of months I’ll be back to where I was before but it will take a bit of time.”

“The manager and the coaching staff have been great and very patient. They’ve been really good because I’ve had to miss training when I’ve been really tired and stiff.”

Former Wanswell Wanderers youth player Ribeiro says he’s had no reaction on his knee since returning to training, and he enjoyed his emotional return at Ashton Gate when he came off the bench against Dutch giants Ajax last month - a game which City lost 4-0.

“I came on for the last half hour, there were about 11,000 watching and it was a great way to re-introduce myself to the fans,” he said.

“It was superb. They were a fantastic team and taught us a bit of a lesson.”

“My knee has been brilliant, it’s everything else that’s been getting sore and tired. My rehab has been brilliant but to get match fit will take time.

“It’s a case of playing each week and as the months go by I’ll get better and better.”

Following the recruits of Paul Hartley, David Clarkson, Danny Haynes and Lewin Nyatanga, Ribeiro feels Bristol City can put in a promotion challenge in the Championship this season, which starts with a trip to Preston on Saturday.

He said: “We’ve got an even better squad than last season and I think we can push for promotion - that has always been the aim. I’m feeling very confident we can have a very successful season.”