Bannister has played for the New York Rangers and Edmonton Oilers

Hull Stingrays defenceman Drew Bannister could return against Sheffield Steelers, but the Rays have concerns over several other players.

Bannister, 36, has missed the last three games with a groin strain.

Rays coach Sylvain Cloutier told BBC Radio Humberside: "Hopefully we'll get Bannister back on Wednesday night.

"Aivars [Gaisins] will be out as he has work commitments he can't get out of. Craig Mitchell will be out of Wednesday and back at the weekend."

He added: "[Lee] Esders will be practising Tuesday to see how he does shooting the puck and according to the physio if there's no setback he should be playing at the weekend."

The Stingrays head into the Steelers game in a confident mood following two victories against Edinburgh Capitals over the weekend, including a 9-2 win at the Hull Arena, a game which included hat-tricks for Jereme Tendler and Konstantin Kalmikov.

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