Wests Tigers halfback Tim Moltzen knocked back a quick-fix as he opted for a full knee reconstruction that he hopes will see him return to his best next season.

Moltzen will go under the knife next Tuesday after snapping the ACL in his left knee, the surgery putting an end to his 2010 NRL campaign after he went down in a heap in Saturday night's win over North Queensland.

The 21-year-old said he considered the radical LARS knee surgery famously undertaken by Sydney Swans AFL player Nick Malceski in 2008.

Malceski returned to action just three months after surgery, but Moltzen said the risks involved were too great as he and his doctors opted for more traditional approach and minimum six-month rehabilitation.

"The thought crossed my mind and the doc's as well but only being 21 at the moment I just think that actually putting the six months work in might benefit me long term - that's probably the best option for me to take at the moment," Moltzen said on Tuesday.

"There's a few things that could go wrong with it and I think the safest option would be to do the full six months and come back next year."

Moltzen said he was in little doubt he was in a lot of trouble the moment his knee gave way as he propped to make a tackle on Cowboys fullback Shannon Gallant.

"I had a little sook to myself in the sheds and spoke to a few people, but it could be worse," Moltzen said.

"I could be never playing again. I've still got something to look forward to."

The Tigers on the other hand have been forced to name their third halfback in the first six rounds with youngster Blake Lazarus handed his debut against Canterbury on Friday night.

Lazarus at least has the genes to make fist of first grade football, with his uncle being five-time premiership winning prop Glenn Lazarus.

First-choice No.7 Robert Lui is not expected to return from an ankle injury for another three weeks.

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