BLAKE Ferguson is the latest big name casualty to be forced out of the All Stars match.

Trent Robinson has confirmed that the new Roosters fullback underwent an operation on a busted finger last Friday after suffering the injury during a defensive drill at training.

While the setback won’t impact Ferguson’s start to the NRL season, Robinson said it would have reduced Ferguson’s ability to train with the Indigenous All Stars in the lead up to the February 13 match in Brisbane.

“He won’t be able to catch and pass until probably the Friday of the All Stars,” Robinson said.

“He will be back running (next week). It will just affect his catching which we have done a heap of.”

Ferguson was set to play in the centres for the Indigenous team who were already missing

Johnathan Thurston, while Sam Burgess, Robbie Farah and Tyson Frizell are early casualties for the NRL World All Stars side.

Robinson said Ferguson was adjusting well to his new position at fullback during pre-season training as he prepares to fill the void left by Roger Tuivasa-Sheck’s move to the Warriors.

Asked if he still believed Ferguson would eventually revert back to the centres, Robinson said: “I think long-term he will go back to centre.

Blake Ferguson injured his finger during a training drill. Picture Gregg Porteous Source: News Corp Australia

“We will take our time with Latrell Mitchell.

“But you never know.

“We thought it was going to be a (quick) fix but if he excels like we think he is going to, you never know.”