Rising Bristol City star Christian Ribeiro could miss the start of the new npower Championship campaign through injury. The Wales international defender, pictured, is struggling to recover from a back problem sustained towards the end of the previous season and could remain on the sidelines for several weeks to come. One of five City players undergoing treatment for a variety of knocks, Ribeiro was injured while on international duty. And City manager Steve Coppell fears the teenager may be forced to sit out the pre-season campaign while he recovers. Considered a player for the future, the Academy product forced his way into the first team towards the end of last season and was expected to provide competition for regular first-choice right-back Bradley Orr this term. But Coppell claimed Ribeiro is unlikely to play any part in City's upcoming tour of Sweden and fears he could miss the friendly programme altogether. He said: "Christian's injury is giving cause for concern and he could be out for a number of weeks.
Bristol Evening Post

Bristol City boss Steve Coppell says Christian Ribeiro should not have played for Wales in May after admitting the defender will be out for some time. Ribeiro won his first senior cap as a second half substitute in the 2-0 defeat to Croatia in Osijek. "Christian's going to out for a while with a back injury," said new City boss Coppell. "He's had it before but I think it was exasperated by playing for Wales when he perhaps shouldn't have done."
BBC Sport

Bristol City manager Steve Coppell says there is a good mood around the club. He's been speaking to us after taking his first training sessions at the club after his players returned to work last week. Coppell says there are still areas of the squad that he needs to strengthen, but he does not expect any players to leave the club. Injuries have kept some players from returning to training. The City boss said: "Christian Ribeiro has a back problem, which is awkward to fix, anyone who has had a back problem will appreciate that. Louis Carey and Jamie McAllister haven't been training, but we think they are short term injuries and they should be returning very soon."
Star Bristol

Ian Holloway, who is expected to sign a new contract this week, is ready to launch a £700,000 bid for Bournemouth striker Brett Pitman, 22. The Channel Islander is also attracting interest from Reading and Bristol City.
Daily Mail

Marcus Trescothick revealed his side's best performance of the Friends Provident t20 so far will be rewarded by a training session with Bobby Gould. Somerset crushed Middlesex by 79 runs at Taunton, with Trescothick weighing in with 83 runs. And, after two days off, Somerset will ease back into training on Wednesday with the help of the former Bristol City striker and Bristol Rovers and Wimbledon manager. Gould, father of Somerset chief executive Richard Gould, is a regular visitor to Taunton and recently returned after commentating on the World Cup. Somerset are back on course for a quarter-final place after hitting their highest total this year - 204-5 - after being asked to bat. Trescothick said: "That is probably our best performance in the competition. To get a good total on the board and bounce back after last Friday's defeat to Surrey was vital."
Bath Chronicle