It is a significant sign of just how poor a season it has been at Scunthorpe United that new signing Christian Ribeiro has won half as many matches at Glanford Park as his new team-mates.

A month ago, the 22-year-old Welshman helped Carlisle United secure an injury-time injection of three points at the Iron's expense.

That was while he was enjoying a successful six-week stint at one of football's outposts, a 275-mile hike north from his more familiar surroundings of Bristol City.

The road to Scunthorpe may be shorter, but given the Iron's struggles since their fall back into the third tier, it is likely to present tougher obstacles.

Swapping a tilt at the top six though for a battle at the unfashionable end of the table is something the level-headed youngster says holds no concerns.

First-team football is simply the goal for Ribeiro, no matter whatever it throws up and wherever it comes.

"For me, it's just great to be playing football and to be a number one somewhere. I haven't had that at Bristol," says the full-back, who has been brought in to play on the right side of the United back four.

"Going to Carlisle was something I really enjoyed, but now it's another chapter at Scunthorpe.

"When I came back from Carlisle I was in limbo as to whether I was going back out on loan or staying.

"I wanted to play first-team games, so I jumped at the chance to come here for a few months .

"Bristol will keep an eye on me, I'm sure, but I'm fully focused now on playing games for Scunthorpe United.

"There's plenty of games over the next two months. That's loads to look forward to.

"I can't wait to get stuck in."

Although confessing to being a long-term admirer of Ribeiro's, Iron boss Alan Knill admitted earlier in the week to having been pretty impressed with the full-back's display during that December afternoon.

Such a statement spawns a lengthy grin on the player's face and provokes a reaction that in turn no doubt comes as music to his new manager's ears.

"On the day I didn't think I'd played as well as I could, so there's more to come from me to what the manager and players have seen," says Ribeiro.

"I'll get stronger, fitter and better as the games go on. I want to gain the players' confidence and respect and as the weeks go by, I hope I'll improve.

Softly-spoken, but with a confidence to the delivery of his speech, if the polite Riberio does as well on the pitch as he conveys himself off it, United could have pulled off quite a coup.

Signs are good that he will.

Rated highly by Carlisle manager Greg Abbott, who had been keen to keep him at Brunton Park, and once courted by Everton, the defender has quite a reputation for someone who has made only 20 first-team appearances.

That lack of pitch time is due to an unfortunate run of injuries, serious ones too.

So making up for lost time is as big a motivation as any while he is part of a United squad currently going through a transitional period under Alan Knill.

"At 22 I should have played more games than I have," says Ribeiro.

"It's all been about injuries for the past few years, but this season I've been completely injury-free.

"I went outside of the club to see specialists and have cleared everything up.

"It's a shame I haven't had as many games as I've been fit for. I've barely missed any matches this season, so I really want to make sure during the second half of the season I rack up those appearances.

"I'm really excited to be here and part of another first-team squad. I look forward to contributing."

Unlike fitness worries, standing out is something Ribeiro has rarely struggled with.

"I know it's very strange, a Welshman with Portuguese roots. I guess I'm quite an individual," he laughs.

It is with the former, though, Ribeiro's loyalties lie.

Despite his injury problems, the right-back is already the proud owner of two international caps, awarded to him by John Toshack and latterly the late, great Gary Speed.

Indicative of his career to date, a back injury sustained on his debut in Croatia ended up wrecking almost two thirds of the following campaign.

The fact it came on top of a year out of action through tearing cruciate ligaments, only added to the player's, and his club's, frustrations.

Providing he comes through training and travel unscathed, Ribeiro will make his Scunthorpe bow at Colchester United tomorrow, a club at which he spent another, injury-hit, stint two years ago.

He has quickly tapped into the sort of psyche Scunthorpe need to build on their last result, a 2-1 win at Hartlepool on January 2, which now seems an age ago.

"While you have to be aware of the league table, it's important not to let it put extra pressure on you," adds the Robin, revealing his surprise at the fact the Iron are 19th in League One.

"There's more than enough quality here to get away from the relegation zone, but it's important we don't get bogged down in everything else that goes on.

"We can only effect what goes on the football pitch, so that's what we've got to focus on.

"Every league is unforgiving, so if you're a bit down on yourself that will work against you. I think that is what Scunthorpe's main failure has been this year.

"The difficult thing is, is that to get confident, you have to keep winning games.

"It's a catch 22 situation, but the manager thinks we're at a turning point. I hope I can give a little bit of freshness and help the club have a good finish to the season."