PANAJI: More Indian players are expected to feature in the next edition of Indian Super League ( ISL ) as the organisers have told participating clubs that they will now be eligible to register only six international players.

When the ISL kicked off in 2014, clubs were allowed to register as many as 11 international players. That number has been significantly brought down since then with seven international players being registered by each team last season.

Now, for a squad of 25 players, that number has been reduced again, an attempt to give Indian players more opportunities and reduce expenditure on international players.

"The ISL will continue to allow a maximum of five international players on the field at any given time, but more Indians will get a chance to play since there won't be too many options left on the bench," said a source who has been tracking the development.

Significantly, from the six international players which can be signed by a club, only three need to be pre-approved by the organisers. The other three international players are entirely left for the clubs to decide.

The I-League also allows registration of six international players with five being allowed to take the field.

