Injured Wallaby Samu Kerevi has backed Israel Folau’s potential shift to midfield for their European tour but warned his teammate he’ll have a fight on his hands for the jersey once he returns.

In a sour ending to his breakout season, Kerevi had surgery on Monday night to repair the ankle injury he sustained during last weekend’s third Bledisloe Cup defeat to New Zealand at Eden Park.

It means he will stay at home as Australia attempts a first Grand Slam since 1984, while also forcing coach Michael Cheika to find another solution at outside centre.

There is speculation Folau may finally be moved from fullback, where he has struggled to make his usual impact for the Wallabies, to No.13, where he dominated most of this year in Super Rugby for the Waratahs.

Cheika has so far resisted the urge to make the switch but when Kerevi was forced from the field in Auckland, Folau played a hybrid role, attacking in the outside centre channel but dropping to the backfield in defence.

“I think he’ll go very well (in the centres),” Kerevi told reporters on Wednesday.

“I’m backing the boys in whatever position they’re put. But when I’m better, I’ll come back and chase him for it.”

Kerevi, who made eight Test appearances for Australia this year, was disappointed to be missing out on what would have been his first tour of Europe.

“I really wanted to keep putting my mark on that spot I had in the Wallabies but this is footy, things like this happen,” he said.

“I’ve just got to stay positive. I’ve been pretty happy with the season but there’s still a lot of things I need to work on.”

Kerevi should be fully fit by January, when he’ll link up with a new-look Queensland Reds side for pre-season training.

The 23-year-old’s preference would be to stay at outside centre for the Reds but new attack coach Shane Arnold – Kerevi’s former club coach – hasn’t ruled out a move to No.12, which could accommodate one of boom youngsters Izaia Perese or Campbell Magnay in their starting team.

“I think he’s got the ability to be world class in both positions,” Arnold said.