Gold Coast coach Neil Henry is hopeful the five players facing drug charges should be allowed to return to action following their court appearances next month.

Henry says isolation is affecting the five Titans who have been stood down among the cocaine scandal sweeping through Queensland sport.

Two players, Beau Falloon and Jamie Dowling, will face Southport Magistrates Court next Friday, two days before the Titans’ NRL season opener against Wests Tigers.

The remaining three players, State of Origin stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor and outside back Kalifa Faifai Loa, are all set to make their initial court appearances on March 9.

Henry says all five should be allowed to return to first grade duties following those initial appearances, despite the likelihood the matters could take up to two years to resolve.

“It’ll be a distraction but that’s happened before,” Henry said.

“There’s been players who’ve had to go to court but they’ve still played, they haven’t been stood down, in a variety of codes, not just rugby league.

“In fact, playing football and being around their mates will be a real bonus. The isolation at the moment is making it really difficult for our players.”

Titans back David Mead, who said the initial revelations had been a shock to the squad, said all five players would be welcomed back if their suspensions are lifted.

“I’d love to play with those guys any time of the year,” Mead said.

Speaking at the launch of the NRL’s new commercial for the 2015 season at the Sydney Opera House, Titans fullback William Zillman said the club can still be a competitive outfit despite the scandal.

“The club is bigger than a couple of players,” Zillman said.

“What we’re doing is looking forward to round one, we need to move on from this and prepare for a rugby league game … we will be competitive.”

Zillman said he’d been in contact with the five players and they were holding up well.

“I have spoken to them, they are going through a tough time, but I’m just here representing the club and we’ve got a football game to focus on,” he said.

The Titans will hold their season launch at Jupiters Hotel and Casino on the Gold Coast later on Thursday evening.