The jury is out on when veterans Luke Douglas and Will Zillman will play for the Gold Coast again despite both being named in an extended Titans squad for Sunday’s NRL match in Melbourne.

Gold Coast forward Zeb Taia admitted Douglas may battle to squeeze his way back into the Titans pack after missing their first-round win over Newcastle due to suspension.

And Taia said mystery surrounded when co-captain Zillman would finally end his injury curse and run out in Titans’ colours again.

Douglas, a 93-game Titans veteran, will find it hard to break back into the 17 with barnstorming prop Ignatius Paasi and rookie interchange forward Leivaha Pulu impressing again last week.

“It just shows we have lot of competition for spots especially in the forwards,” Taia said of Douglas’ predicament.

“Iggy and Pulu are going really well at the moment.

“I am sure Dougy will work his way back in, with his experience it will be hard for him not to be there.”

Zillman has not played for the Titans since round 10 last year when he broke down with a back injury that required surgery.

He had overcome that injury and was picked for their first-round match with Newcastle, only to succumb to a calf complaint.

David Mead shone at fullback in Zillman’s absence last weekend.

“It’s unlucky for Zilly with his injury. He will slot back into the side somehow but it would be good to have Meady at the back again,” Taia said.

“He (Zillman) is doing everything he can to get back into the team but we just don’t know yet.”