Bottom-placed Salgaocar Sports Club have put all their trust in Brazilian midfielder Fabio dos Passos to pull them out of the relegation zone in their crucial match against city rivals Churchill Brothers in the I-League here on Monday.

Fabio, one of the most impressive midfielders to have played in India in recent times, will make his I-League debut at the Nehru Stadium in the eighth round of the league.

"Fabio can do the trick for us," Salgaocar coach Savio Medeira said on the eve of the all-important match.

Fabio joined the side little over a week ago, but Medeira is sure the Brazilian can fit into the side like fish to water.

"I've seen him in training and he retains the intelligence and positioning that made him such a dangerous midfielder," Medeira said.

Salgaocar, with three points are pegged at the bottom of the pool, unable to stitch a single win.

Unlucky

"We've been unlucky with a couple of games," said Mederia pointing to the last match against Mohun Bagan, which they lost despite scoring four goals.

"We will have to play less of an open game against Churchill than we did with Bagan," said Medeira. "But we don't need to alter the tactics drastically."

Fabio will take the place of an injured Jerose Oliveira in the central midfield position.

Nigerian striker C Felix is an automatic starter, leaving Medeira to choose between Kenyan striker Boniface Ambani and Rwandan defender Herry Habimana for the third foreigner's slot. Churchill Brothers, with 13 points are high on confidence, but have problems of their own.

Stopper-back Gourmangi Singh will miss out after two bookings.

Varun Deep, in the meanwhile, is back in contention after winning Churchill's Moroccan coach Karim Bencherifa confidence in training.

Brazilian midfielder Fabio Vidal has overcome a knee problem.

"Salgaocar does not deserve to be at the bottom with the quality they have. I am certain they will come good, hopefully not against us," added the  Churchill coach.