Sonny Bill to see the surgeon

Bulldogs star Sonny Bill Williams will undergo surgery this week regardless of the outcome of scans on a damaged right knee which could sideline him for two months.

Williams, 19, was clinging to the best case scenario of returning in a fortnight despite suffering cartilage damage with his comeback NRL clash against South Sydney.

Bulldogs doctor Hugh Hazard said Williams would learn the full extent of the injury with scans but hoped the Kiwi international would return as soon as two weeks.

It was welcome good news for Williams, who cut a dejected figure as he left Sydney Showground following the defending premiers' surprise 21-21 golden point draw with lowly Souths.

Williams is one of the NRL's superstars but has played just 20 games since making his first grade debut for the Bulldogs in the first round of 2004.

Williams has played just five games this season after aggravating an ankle ligament injury before enduring Saturday night's heartache.

"It's very difficult to be absolutely sure (how long Williams is sidelined)," Hazard said.

"It depends what sort of tear it is in the cartilage. If it is a minor tear he might be back in as little as two weeks.

"If it's a large ... tear that needs to be repaired, it might take twice that time.

"What we've got to hope is that he hasn't damaged his joint surface.

"What we have to keep remembering about Sonny Bill is that he might be 103kg and looks like a big lad.

"But he is still only 19 so he's still maturing skeletally and muscular maturity is still coming, so he's got to be bigger and stronger and once that happens hopefully he won't have any injuries at all."

It was another injury blow to the Bulldogs who are without Test props Willie Mason (foot) and Mark O'Meley (shin) for another seven weeks, City utility Reni Maitua (ankle) for three months and Queensland centre Willie Tonga (knee) for another month.