Bayern Munich's Van Gaal still confident of title challenge

Bayern Munich coach Louis van Gaal is convinced his team can claw back the eight-point deficit to Bundesliga leaders Bayer Leverkusen and Hamburg.

The Bavarians lie eighth in the standings after managing only three wins in their opening eight games. But Van Gaal is not planning to give up on the title race just yet.

"Eight points is a lot, that I know," the Dutchman told German television channel DSF.

"(But) the awards will be distributed in April or May, not October."

Van Gaal has just passed the 100-day mark at the Bayern helm and reckons if he is given time he will make his mark.

"A coach takes time and trust," he said.

"If I get time, I have the great opportunity to develop something. I proved this at other clubs.

"I think the public and the media must maintain confidence in Louis van Gaal."

Meanwhile, the Dutch coach look set to be without their main strike force of Arjen Robben, Franck Ribery and Ivica Olic until the end of the month.

Dutch winger Robben is already out with a knee injury, but striker Olic has picked up a calf injury while French midfielder Ribery has suffered a recurrence of an old knee injury which plagued him in the summer.

Ribery is expected to be out for at least two weeks, said Bayern's director of sport Christian Nerlinger.

"It is the same injury which hampered him in the summer, it's unpleasant, but this should not keep him out for long," said Nerlinger.

Both Ribery and Robben picked up their respective injuries against Juventus on September 30 in the Champions League group game.