Calcutta: East Bengal coach Khalid Jamil said he was not thinking about winning the I-League title.

East Bengal, third in the points table with 29 points from 16 matches, are two adrift of surprise leaders Minerva who have 32 in their kitty from 16 outings. Second-placed and debutants Neroca FC, are on 31 points from 17 games.

Asked about the opportunity to end a 13-year drought of league titles this season, Khalid stressed his team is not thinking beyond the next game.

"We are not thinking about winning the league, we are thinking about the next game. You can say that the league is still open. Starting from next match, the last two matches are very important," Jamil told reporters after the team's practice session at the club ground on Tuesday morning.

Central defender Eduardo Ferreira is out of the Lajong tie due to suspension.

Khalid said he will be missed, but there are players who can replace him. "He will be missed. Except Gokulam (Kerala FC) match, he played all the matches and for 90 minutes. We have replacement, Arnab (Mondal), Salam (Ranjan Singh). I am confident they will do well.

"Lajong match won't be easy. They may not be in the title race but at home they are different proposition. It will be tough," Jamil said.

East Bengal had played Chennai City FC last Saturday recording a thumping 7-1 victory. Dudu Omagbemi had scored four goals.East Bengal are playing their last match at home and Jamil feels that is an advantage.

"It's good that we are playing at home in the last game. We have to get full points in the last two matches. Rest is not on us," the former Aizawl FC coach said.

Khalid revealed that Ugandan defensive midfielder Khalid Aucho, who was expected to join East Bengal, is having family problems and his arrival status will be known by the next 24 hours.

"He is facing some family issues. It is expected to be known in the next 24 hours whether he can join us or not. If he is available, it is very good for us," Jamil said.

East Bengal decided to replace 25-year-old Armand Bazie with Aucho. Bazie jumped ship to fellow contenders Minerva Punjab FC in the January transfer window and scored in their 2-0 win over Aizawl FC on Monday.

East Bengal had previously signed Uzbek midfielder Dilshod Sharofetdinov as Bazie's replacement, but the 32-year old midfielder could not make it to India due to visa problems.

Sources close to the team though said it is difficult for Aucho to arrive in time for the last two I-League games against Lajong FC away on March 5 followed by Neroca FC at home three days later.

The team management is in two minds on whether to bring him for the Super Cup next month as it is a knock-out competition.