Luke Keary needs surgery that would sideline him for 12 months, but the South Sydney halfback is prepared to play through the pain for the rest of his career as he reaffirmed his desire to play for NSW.

Keary has cartilage damage in between his first and second metatarsal in his foot, an injury he picked up playing for South Sydney in their grand final qualifying win against the Sydney Roosters last year. He needs a cortisone injection to get through most games with the only way to fully repair the injury is by undergoing surgery, which would sideline him for a season.

Keary said he was prepared to play on with discomfort for the rest of his career.

"There are a couple of surgeries they can do," Keary said. "I am trying to avoid it at all costs.