Calcutta: Mohun Bagan coach Sanjay Sen remains hopeful of their chances of winning the I-League. The former champions are third in the standings with 23 points from 12 matches. Aizawl FC lead the pack with 30 from 14 games while East Bengal follow on 27 points.

"We are not out of the race. Of the 17 matches we have played in the I-League and the AFC Cup, we have lost only two... That's fairly good.

"But we shouldn't commit any more slip ups. One more stumble and we would be in trouble," said Sen after returning to the city on Wednesday following their loss to Bengaluru FC in the AFC Cup.

"We have got six matches remaining in the I-League and we have to win five of them," said the Bagan coach. Mohun Bagan will resume their practice from March 23 because of the break in the I-League.

Sony Norde has been allowed to return home and will reportedly return on March 30. Captain Katsumi Yusa, who suffered a knee injury against Bengaluru FC, is also going back to Japan for a vacation.

Norde exuded confidence on their chances. "I still believe all three teams are there in the contention," Sen said.

Meanwhile, a senior East Bengal official has said that there are no plans to remove coach Trevor James Morgan following their defeats to Churchill and Chennai City FC.