Gold Coast’s board will seek independent legal advice on what to do with its squad members facing drug charges.

The news means all five players, including superstars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor, are almost certain to miss a second NRL fixture as they remain stood down from all first-team duties.

Lawyers from the players as well as the Rugby League Players’ Association have been pushing hard to get the five reinstated in time for Saturday’s round two clash with Penrith in Bathurst.

All five have now faced court on a variety of cocaine possession and supply charges with Bird, Taylor and Kalifa Faifai Loa joining former players Joe Vickery and Ash Harrison at Southport Magistrates Court on Monday.

Lawyers and RLPA representatives had been in talks with the board since those court appearances, but the Titans confirmed on Wednesday they would be seeking advice from Sydney-based QC Tony Bannon on what actions should be taken.

Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said requested information had only been provided in relation to three of the players stood down.

Annesley wouldn’t elaborate on who those players were and said appointing Mr Bannon was the best option to take.

“The board are just being prudent. The board have a large responsibility in relation to these matters,” he said.

“There are charges involved that are proceeding through the courts, we also have our own internal contractual issues … it’s about making sure they go to whatever length necessary to make the right decisions.”

The Titans head to Bathurst on Thursday and Annesley said it looked increasingly unlikely a decision on the players’ status would be made before they departed.

“I think that’s going to be difficult logistically,” he said when asked what likelihood there was of any of the players taking on the Panthers.

“The players leave tomorrow for Bathurst and, of course, we don’t have a decision yet.

“Whether the players are going to return or not is going to depend largely on the advice that the board receives. We can’t pre-empt what that outcome might be.”

Annesley said the information received so far was “satisfactory” and he was confident the missing information from the two players would be provided in due course.

He said there was no timeframe on Mr Bannon’s analysis though it was hoped it would be completed quickly.

“Everyone would like this matter to be resolved one way or the other,” he said.

“They would like it resolved as soon as possible. The sooner we can do that, the better.”