HOW eager is right-winger Colby Genoway to get back into the Manitoba Moose lineup Thursday night after a month on the sidelines because of a groin-muscle injury?

Let us count the ways.

For starters, with five practice days between games last week and this, the team engages in one of its regular "bag skates" for conditioning on Monday at the Gateway Community Centre. All through this end-of-practice sweat and exertion, Genoway could be seen smiling broadly.

And between the on-ice work and a dryland training session Monday, the normally plays-it-close-to-his-vest native of Morden was downright playful with reporters.

"I guess in a roundabout way I put rumours in peoples' ears around the room saying I should be playing," Genoway grinned when asked about having played it extra safe with his return date. "But the guys in power know what they're doing, the training staff, the coaching staff and the management here. They know what's best and I trust them.

quot;I might not like what their decision is but I know they're looking out for the best for me."

Having held him back a week or so was a conscious decision by the Moose, who have been burned on fast injury-returns this season. The team continues to suffer more than its share of hurts, but Genoway's return shrinks the list of regulars missing because of injury or call-up to just six.

One more reason might be that Moose coach Scott Arniel will plug Genoway into the forward slot alongside Brad Moran and Jason Jaffray, two Moose forwards who continually demonstrate excellent chemistry.

"(Colby) is a guy who knows how to put pucks on net and we could use his offence right now," Arniel said. "We know what those two do together. I think he's excited. I can see a little jump in his step. Hopefully they can get us going again."

And there's another reason. Genoway, who had shown top-shelf instincts in recording a strong start of 24 points in 29 games, believes he can help a team that has lost six straight.

"I really am itching to get back," said Genoway, who has missed 13 games (the Moose are 5-8 in that time). "I'm not trying to go outside what I do but to be a positive person in the dressing room and to give as much leadership as I can and hopefully put up some points on the board, be something new in the dressing room that (other players) can maybe be a little more energetic about. Maybe a change in scenery does some people some good."

Genoway said he was conscious of his smile during Monday's conditioning skate.

"I guess it beats skating with two people for the last two weeks," he said. "I've got to look at it like I have to do a little extra, make sure I'm staying positive out there to keep myself motivated to work hard. I'm behind the eight ball right now because I haven't played for a month.

"I'm sure bag skates aren't fun but in my situation, I have to make sure I'm working even harder than these guys because they've been going the whole time and I haven't."

When he went down before Christmas, there had been talk he'd be a candidate to represent the Moose at the AHL all-star game next weekend.

Is he worried at all about having lost his momentum?

"Not until you brought it up, but thanks," Genoway deadpanned. "Now I have a whole bag of issues."

All to be cured, it seems, by having his name on Thursday's lineup card.

NOTES: Among the other injured Moose, speedster Ryan Shannon (knee) would seem to be the closest. Shannon can skate but have no contact this week, but could be aiming for a return after the all-star game... Jannik Hansen (concussion) had a successful bike ride Monday but is nowhere near even his skates... Veteran defenceman Danny Groulx (ribs) is inactive and weeks away from any practice, the Moose fear.

tim.campbell@freepress.mb.ca

Beware of those

high expectations

* Irritable coaches have preached to reporters and fans that it's a bad idea to pin all hopes on one player who is returning from injury or suspension. It's called the Superman's Cape condition and it's in play this week for the Moose, who have lost six straight but get forward Colby Genoway back from a groin injury that kept him out a month.

* An eager Genoway said expectations are the least of his worries. "I don't think I could have gone another week without putting a dent in the drywall (in the dressing room)," he said. "I don't think of it like that. We have a lot of good players and I'm just one small piece in a bigger unit."

* His coach, Scott Arniel, sees only upside for this comeback: "I think it's a good week for it. I think he'll give us a little jolt of energy offensively because of his puck-handling abilities, playmaking and goal-scoring. This team isn't going to look to Colby to be the saviour. They know he's another piece, a big piece of our puzzle early in the year."