Gold Coast will travel to Canberra for Saturday’s NRL clash without captain Nathan Friend.

The veteran hooker was ruled out after training on Friday after suffering two head knocks in the opening three rounds of the season.

Friend was taken from the field in the Titans’ home clashes against Newcastle and Wests Tigers with concussion.

He passed the NRL’s cognition testing after each knock to allow him to return to the field but the Titans have been monitoring the 35-year-old’s recovery closely.

“He’s passed the test to go back on the field each time but there’s no doubt he’s been stung a couple of times,” coach Neil Henry said on Friday morning.

“So far it hasn’t been a real problem for him but there is a protocol to go through where you are on restricted duties early in the week – there’s no contact obviously – and then you start building up the amount of work you do.”

Kierran Moseley has been included in the squad in place of Friend, though it’s unclear if he’ll start or come off the bench.

Friend’s injury and Will Zillman’s ongoing calf problem means both the Titans’ co-captains are currently sidelined.

Henry hasn’t named a captain for the Canberra match but veteran lock Greg Bird is expected to lead the Titans in the nation’s capital.