BERKELEY footballer Christian Ribeiro is back in pre-season training with Bristol City, almost a year after a nightmare first-team debut.

The former Marling School student suffered anterior cruciate knee ligament damage in a Carling Cup tie with Peterborough last August, his first competitive game for the Championship outfit.

However, he has trained throughout this summer and has been now been given the green light to get a hugely promising career back on track.

Bristol City manager Gary Johnson is backing the 19-year-old to return as the same player he was before his horrific setback.

"Certainly if anyone deserves it he does," said Johnson.

"The work he has put in has been nothing short of unbelievable. Everybody wants him to do well."

Ribeiro grew up in Berkeley before moving to Ruscombe five years ago.

Highly rated at Ashton Gate, he is a former captain of City's Under-18 side and was attracting interest from Premier League giants Everton prior to the injury.

As a defender capable of playing at right-back or centre-half, he has also won three caps for Wales Under-21s.