Injury-prone Penrith fullback Lachlan Coote is confident his latest surgery can bring an end to his chronic groin problems once and for all.

Coote battled osteitis pubis for the second half of the 2010 NRL season and is desperate to avoid another interrupted campaign next year.

The 20-year-old thought he would get away without needing surgery, but after returning from his off-season break it was clear his problems hadn't healed.

Coote went under the knife last Wednesday and his surgeon, Dr Neil Halpin, has a history of success with fixing groin injuries.

In the 1990s, Dr Halpin cured Ian Roberts of his chronic injury, and also healed Steve Georgallis.

Coote is a freakish attacking talent, but his diminutive size means he needs confidence in his body if he's going to continue to excel in the NRL.

He's certain he's found the solution.

"I've talked to other players and even Steve Georgallis and Wayne Collins (Panthers staff members), they had it done when they were playing and they said they felt stronger than ever," Coote said.

"They say they felt normal so I'm hoping this will go back to the same.

"I don't want it to happen again, it's just frustrating, feeling like I'm playing so good and then something like this can just wreck it so easy."

It seems the only regret over Coote's surgery is that he didn't get it sooner.

In hindsight he could have had it done and sacrificed Penrith's finals campaign, or at least booked himself in as soon as the Panthers were knocked out in week two of the playoffs.

But club and player both thought two months off would rid him off the problem. They were proven wrong as soon as Coote returned to the training paddock.

Coote said the delay shouldn't affect the healing process, and he said he's on track to return for round one.

"It's all pretty good so far, I walked out of there and everything so it was all pretty good. I've still got the stitches and everything in them now and hopefully I'll get them taken out on Wednesday, but it's all on track at the moment," he said.

"We tried to manage it through the year and it put me out for those six games I had off but I should have done it even straight after that final."

Coote's surgery involved two cuts to the adductor muscles in both legs, to try and loosen pressure off the pelvis bone.

Penrith assistant coach Georgallis said Coote can now get on with the rest of his career without worry about breaking down.

"The way they reattach it means there's no pain or strain on your groin and I got it in 1992 and the operation's just got better and better," Georgallis said.

"With his it became chronic and finally they realised that's what it was and this will fix it."

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