Sheffield Steelers: Mikko Kuukka says there is a possibility he will extend Steel City stay

Mikko Kuukka recently signed a two-week extension to his temporary deal despite potential interest from big clubs in his native Finland.

But the 34-year-old defenceman has told The Star that there is a "big chance" of him staying for the rest of the campaign.

Aaron Johnson, Jonas Liwing and James Bettauer are all out with long term issues. Bettauer is the latest victim: like Johnson, he has a broken bone in his hand.

The catalogue of problems has forced Sheffield back into the player market.

On Sunday, the three D-men were joined on the sidelines by forwards Robert Dowd (leg) and Marco Vallerand (upper body; recurrence) - yet still won 3-1 at Nottingham Panthers.

Kuukka said he had joined Steelers in the first instance to help out a team with injuries - a factor that is not getting any better.

Asked if his priority was still to head back to the Finnish 'Liiga,' he replied: "I really don't know.

“I just want to go with the short deals because I really don't know what is best for me.

"Before I signed here I came here to help the team because there were a lot of injuries.

"The situation is still the same...it's even worse.

"I do my best every night for this club and we will see what happens after two weeks, how the guys are getting back and what the situation is then.

"In the summer, my first call was to sign in the Liiga (Finnish Elite League) and find a good place from there."

He added that it was true that he'd earn more money back home.

But he stressed that at his age he wanted to play for a team that "had the chance to win every night."

He has been with many pro teams and his first priority now is to find an environment where he enjoys playing and the outfit really wants him to be there.

"It is not about the money at this point in my career," Kuukka added.

He declared there was a "big chance" he'd remain for the rest of the season.

Steelers won handsomely on Sunday, but had been well beaten at home by Cardiff Devils the night before.

Kuukka said the overall quality of EIHL teams and uncertainty of results was a "big thing in this league."

"You have to prepare yourself every night, there are no bad teams. Every team is very good."

He said against Belfast Giants (a 5-0 win last Wednesday) Sheffield had been mentally ready to play and "we dominated the full 60 minutes and had a really good win."

But against Cardiff: "We weren't ready to play and that is the result. You just have to prepare and put yourself mentally and physically ready every night.”