Johnson feels sympathy for Ribero

Last updated : 13 August 2008 By Smallsy
BOOKING their place in the second round of the Carling Cup was a fantastic achievement for Bristol City but for their manager Gary Johnson it was tinged with sadness.

Young defender Christian Ribero was stretched off the Aston Gate pitch after less than 30 minutes with suspected knee ligament damage and headed straight to hospital. The City manager, speaking to Bristol City World TV told of his sympathy for the young defender making his debut: "It's so sad, so early in the lad's debut when he was just getting into it."

"The injury broke our momentum a little bit and it wasn't a nice sight to look over and see a young pro lying in pain."

"We think it's ligament damage and we hope it's nothing more sinister than that. He's a strong lad and will come back."