Sydney Roosters prop Sam Moa has expressed his concern for the welfare of teammate Blake Ferguson after the former NSW winger was ruled out of the NRL for four months on Monday due to an ankle injury.

Ferguson will undergo surgery on Tuesday on the ligament injury suffered in the second half of Sunday’s big round four win over Canberra.

The layoff comes just four games into Ferguson’s return from a self-inflicted 22-month exile from the NRL as a result of his 2013 sacking by the Raiders and a indecent assault charge.

Moa said Ferguson would need the right support around him to avoid him falling into his old ways.

“I think there is a big chance of things going down hill really quick,” Moa said.

“But we have a great support staff here at the club and we have an awesome team and we are going to rally around him and make sure he is alright mentally and hopefully things will improve from there.

“It is number one on the list for the club to make sure his welfare is OK, first and foremost is how he is coping with it.

“Robbo (coach Trent Robinson) is really big on that so he is going to be looked after.

“It is a shame but he will be back.”

However the 25-year-old Ferguson was adamant he would not fall prey to off-field distraction and indiscretions as he has previously.

“I bet you guys (the media) are probably speculating that I am going to play up again, but it is not going to happen,” Ferguson said.

“I think with the support staff here we have got, physios, doctors, the boys, the people that I am around all the time there is going to be no problem with that.

“I have tremendous respect for the boys and I’m sure they have respect for me as well.

“It’s just about doing what is right for the club and what is right for my teammates, and for myself as well.”

Ferguson suffered ankle ligament damage to his other – left – ankle in training last year.

“It’s devastating but I know the injury pretty well, so I know what to do to get back,” said Ferguson.

“It is just missing the games that is going to hurt me, not being with the boys.

“Injury-wise it is a blessing – it is the same one that happened last time, so I know what I have to do.

“It’s just not to the extent that happened to the other foot, it is not as bad.”

Shaun Kenny-Dowall is likely to shift to right centre in place of Ferguson for the Roosters’ round five clash with winless Cronulla at Allianz Stadium on Sunday, with Nene Macdonald moving onto the wing