Gillies is not expected to return to action till January at the earliest

The Sheffield Steelers have begun their search for a replacement for winger Nathan Gillies who will be out till the new year with an elbow injury.

The Canadian forward snapped a tendon in his arm in the Steelers' defeat in Belfast at the weekend.

Steelers head coach Dave Matsos told BBC Radio Sheffield: "He has to immobilise his arm for six to eight weeks and not do anything."

"It will probably be early January at the earliest that he can come back."

He added: "We looked at the possibility of surgically repairing it, but that is something [the specialists] really want to stay away from."

Matsos has already begun looking for a new signing and has narrowed his search to two players.

"Some teams might choose to run short, but because of the quality of club we are and the expectation levels we need to bring someone in.

"We've narrowed it down to two different players who have two different styles and we are going to make a decision.

"It's going to evolve quite quickly actually - we are already in lengthy talks with both parties - but this weekend has come too soon."

The Steelers face-off against the Cardiff Devils at the House of Steel, Saturday, 18 October 1900 BST.