HAWTHORN skipper Luke Hodge is back at the club after a knee operation, but his exact return date is unclear. 

Hodge had surgery on a knee last Tuesday after he suffered a lateral meniscus tear in the first quarter of the Hawks' round six loss to Greater Western Sydney.

He played out the rest of the game.

"Hodgy's been back around the club," forward Luke Breust said on Tuesday.

"I think he mentioned today that he was a bit sick of lying on the couch.

"It was good to see him around the club again. Give him a few weeks and I'm sure he'll be fine."

The club has been hit hard by injuries in its attempt to win a fourth successive premiership, with forward Jarryd Roughead yet to play this year after a PCL reconstruction in his knee.

Breust said the small forwards were forced to do more work in the air in Roughead's absence.

"The biggest adjustment for us smalls is flying for our marks," Breust said.

"Poppy (Paul Puopolo) and Cyril (Rioli) probably do it more than what I do.

"If you are caught behind, (it's important to) not let that defender mark it.

"When Roughy's there, he normally can take two (backmen) and still get it to ground, and let us small guys do the work."

The Hawks face Fremantle at Aurora Stadium on Saturday afternoon, and while they currently sit 5-2 they are the only team in the top 10 with a percentage below 100.

Nevertheless, Breust said improving that measure was not a focus for his side.

"It's more just about win-loss. Get those wins on the board and try to finish top four," he said.

"If it means you've got to travel because of percentage, so be it."