New Zealand fly-half Dan Carter could feature in the Bledisloe Cup match against Australia in Hong Kong in October.
Carter has been carrying the knock in his right ankle throughout the successful Tri-Nations campaign and, with the All Blacks having secured the title with a match to spare, he underwent surgery to treat the problem.
He will miss the final Tri-Nations game against Australia next week New Zealand captain Richie McCaw is confident the player will be fit for the Bledisloe Cup match on October 30.
"Obviously Dan will miss our next match but the plan is for him to be available for Hong Kong," McCaw told reporters.
"I don't know 100 percent but he should be all right."