"The surgeons have told him it will be about four months which bring him to about the end of July," Fien's manager Jim Banaghan said yesterday.

"So hopefully he'll be back running then and we'll see him back on the paddock this year.

"It's something to aim for, but everything seems to have gone well from the surgery."

Having set up a try for Ben Hornby, Fien fell awkwardly in a tackle in the 35th minute of Friday night's game and had to be helped from the field.

The injury blow came on the same day his fourth child, a boy, was born.

"It's a rollercoaster that rugby league," team-mate Dean Young said. "Friday morning he has a baby boy and then this happens.

"We've worked really hard with me at lock and Fiensy at hooker to get a combination going with Benny Hornby, so we're pretty shattered for him.

"It's a pretty sad time for him to tell you the truth, but it's not the end of the world. He's got a beautiful young boy and the rest of the kids are healthy, so there's always positives."

Fien, who had screws inserted in his right ankle and will spend several weeks on crutches, will be a full-time father during his recovery, looking after Noah, Cleo and Brody, as well his new arrival.

The former North Queensland and Warriors halfback and hooker moved from New Zealand to Wollongong last year after signing for the Dragons mid-season.

He is on contract with the club until 2012.

Coach Wayne Bennett is left to consider his dummy-half options, with Young and experienced hooker Luke Priddis among his options.

Fien was a major attacking weapon for the Dragons in Friday night's victory at Parramatta Stadium, placing a grubber kick through for Hornby to open the scoring in the sixth minute.

It was initially feared that Fien's injury would even threaten his career, but he now could still emerge as a key player if St George Illawarra can secure a place in this year's finals series.