Anthony Minichiello's rugby league career is again up in the air with the luckless Sydney Roosters fullback to undergo radical ankle surgery to save his season.

Minichiello will have 'tightrope fixation' surgery on his left ankle on Thursday after suffering a serious injury known as syndesmosis - the separation of the tibia and fibula bones in his lower leg.

So severe is Minichiello's injury that he has ruptured all three ligaments that keep the bones attached to his ankle and must have immediate surgery.

He is not the first Australian sportsperson to suffer the problem - cricketer Brett Lee missed the 2007 World Cup with the same injury - but is believed to be the first to undergo the new rubber band technique.

Normally screws are inserted to reattach the ligaments, however this involves a rehabilitation period of up to six months.

Minichiello, in the final year of his contract, cannot afford more time on the sidelines and has opted for the new technique which involves a fiberwire suture and buttons that will have him back on the field in three months.

It is the fourth year in a row serious injury has ruined the 28-year-old's season - but unlike his previous back complaints there should be no lingering problems with his ankle.

"I'm definitely pissed off," said Minichiello.

"It is unfortunate it happened to me, it can happen to anyone in the game.

"It is awful luck isn't it.

"It is only 10 to 12 weeks and I guess the rest of the season I get to play with the Roosters and that's what I'm looking forward to."

Minichiello played just 25 games in three years (2006-2008) as serious back and neck injuries threatened to curtail his brilliant career.

But he persisted among multiple setbacks to complete a full pre-season with the Roosters and set his sights on reclaiming his Test and NSW Origin jumpers.

"It's pretty disappointing, not just because of the rep stuff, I was pretty pumped to have a full season with the Roosters and try and challenge for a good position to go into the semi-finals," he said.

"I pretty much don't think about (my back and neck) anymore when I go into a game. I know that area of my body is 100 per cent now."

Off-contract at the end of 2009, Roosters officials were planning to wait as long as 12 weeks before deciding whether to offer the former Golden Boot winner another deal.

Roosters recruitment officer Peter O'Sullivan said the club would give the 28-year-old time to heal and a chance to show his talents on the field.

"Mini has been an icon of this club. We will give him every possible chance," O'Sullivan told AAP.

"We never set a date. We only wanted to see him get out on the field. We wanted to see him play eight, 10, 12 weeks."

The severity of Minichiello's injury shows just how courageous his effort was to score a try in the Roosters' emphatic win over Canberra.

Fearing he had "broken" his ankle in a tackle minutes earlier, Minichiello bravely hobbled to the line to score in the corner.

"I thought I broke it actually. A couple of guys fell on it and I heard a big crack and I didn't want to put any weight on it," said Minichiello.

"I started walking and thought this might be okay and stayed on for a couple of minutes and after I scored that try I knew it wasn't good.

"I wasn't too keen for (the ball) but I got there in the end."

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