Injuries, the flu, and three teams that want to be in Brandon come Memorial Cup time made last week tough on everyone in Warriors camp.

Getting their captain back might help.

Now, don't get too excited. Jason Bast is still out of game action, but is back in the locker room after a successful surgery to repair a fractured facial bone.

Head coach Dave Hunchak revealed at practice that's not the only ailment Bast is suffering through, and that the break isn't all bad.

“He's had some other injuries that he's been fighting through and playing through,” said Hunchak. “He may come back even better than he's been, because he'll be fresh in the second half.”

The Warriors were also without Nathan McMaster at practice yesterday - he's out with a concussion. Thomas Frazee was out last weekend with an illness, and a few players missed Monday with ailments as well.

Hunchak says local call-ups aren't out of the question this weekend in Alberta.