THE Roosters' premiership campaign has been dealt an early blow with star playmaker Todd Carney in danger of missing the start of the season with a groin complaint.

A key player in the Sydney Roosters’ charge to last year’s grand final, the 2010 Dally M Medallist will go under the knife tomorrow and is expected to miss the next two months.

The utility’s setback is also a minor headache for incoming NSW coach Ricky Stuart, who is sweating on Carney being at peak fitness as the Blues try to snap Queensland’s five-year stranglehold on State of Origin.

Roosters doctor John Orchard said there was no guarantee Carney would be fit for the club’s opening-round clash against South Sydney on Friday, March 11.

"He came back to start pre-season for two weeks but his groin is limiting him quite a lot. We’ve made a decision to seek a second opinion and he’ll have a slower start to the season," Orchard said.

"He’ll have the operation but thankfully it’s not a big one. He might be a chance for round 1 but it’s an injury that has been lingering so we didn’t want to push him along, have him playing the trials and be carrying it into round 1.

"It’s touch and go. If you get a quick recovery with no problems, then Todd will be right for round 1.

"But sometimes you get little re-strains after the surgery so we might have to delay Todd for a couple of weeks.

"We’re not certain of round 1 but we’re aiming for that."

The former Raider developed the problem after the NRL grand final as a member of Australia’s four Nations squad.

"Todd didn’t have a problem during the finals but the four Nations squad did some heavy sessions," Orchard said.

"Todd didn’t have a lot of game time but they pushed the blokes who weren’t playing and that’s how it developed."

The Test pivot could have played through the pain barrier this year but opted for immediate surgery after speaking with Roosters teammate Braith Anasta.

"Braith has been through this before, he played the year with groin pain and found he didn’t have his same zip," Orchard said.

* the NRL is continuing to provide flood relief, with the Parramatta Eels arriving in Brisbane today to help with the clean-up effort.

Eels players and staff will head to Ipswich and Goodna to lend a helping hand over the next two days.

The Eels will join players from Penrith Panthers and Wests Tigers for a dinner from 7.30 tonight at Brothers Leagues Club in Ipswich.