New Delhi, Oct. 29 :    New Delhi, Oct. 29:  Salgaocar and India's ace defender Roberto Fernandez may be out of action till the end of the year because of cartilege trouble in his knee. This was conveyed by the Salgaocar manager Leopold Fernandez. Salgaocar FC, the 1999 Durand champions and currently runners up in the Goa league arrived here today. Leopold Fernandez said that Roberto developed knee trouble during the last match of the Goa league, which concluded a fortnight ago. He was rushed to Mumbai to consult specialist Dr Ananth Joshi. Roberto was advised complete rest for three weeks. He will go for a check-up again next week. If Dr Anant Joshi decides to operate then Roberto is likely to miss the start of the 2000-2001 National Football league and maybe even the Millenium Cup. Roberto, who captained India in the Four Nation international tournament, at Maldives in May 2000, is ruled out of the Durand and forthcoming Rovers Cup. The lanky defender is the Salgaocar skipper this season. Franky Baretto now takes over as captain. Their new coach Markus Pacheco says that in the absence of Roberto the team will have to be re-shaped. Francis Coelho will be used as a stopper back instead of a right wing back. Dependable left back Roque Pereira is also recovering from knee trouble and may also not be fit for their opening tie in Group 1 of the Durand quarter final league against Mahindra United on November 2. Ex-international Savio Madeira is the assistant coach of Salgaocar FC this season. He stated that as the squad is plagued by injuries, they are trying to recruit two foreign players, 18 year old midfielder Christian Okoye from Nigeria and goalkeeper Abubacker who last played for F.C. Kochin. At present Salgaocar have justone foreign player Gbenga Lawal. Savio also added that new recruits from Tata Football Academy (TFA) midfielders Alex Ambrose and V.K. Harish may be used in the Durand tournament. Bruno Coutinho and Climax Lawrence or Alvito D'Cunha are the strikers. The current Goa league champions Zee-Churchill Brothers also reached Delhi today. Churchill Brothers commence their Durand campaign on November 1 against JCT. Their Rusian coach Grigory has not yet reached Delhi. At present they are being coached by ex-international Shivdass who represented India in the 1970 Bangkok Asian Games. Churchill Brothers have never reached the semi finals of the Durand tournament. However, coach Shivdass is confident they can do well especially as their forwards Stephen Abarowei and Francis Silveira are in good nick.