TORONTO -- A man accused of killing eight men with ties to Toronto's gay village will return to court in January.

At a brief appearance Thursday, Bruce McArthur's next court date was set for Jan. 16, 2019 for ongoing pre-trial matters.

The 67-year-old self-employed landscaper faces eight counts of first-degree murder.

He is set to stand trial on Jan. 6 2020, and the Crown says the proceedings are expected to last three to four months.

McArthur, who wore a black sweater over a colourful shirt and blue jeans, nodded as the judge spoke to him during Thursday's hearing.

He was arrested in January in connection with the men who went missing from Toronto's gay village between 2010 and 2017.