The media scrutiny surrounding Gold Coast is set to intensify on Thursday when the five players facing drug charges will make their return to first-team training.

State of Origin stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor as well as Kalifa Faifai Loa, Jamie Dowling and Beau Falloon are all set to have their first full training run at the club’s Pizzey Park base in Burleigh since being reinstated on legal advice on Tuesday.

Bird, Taylor and reigning club player of the year Falloon have all been named to play in Sunday’s NRL clash against Newcastle at Robina.

None of the players are expected to talk to media during a scheduled press session before the 2.30pm AEST training session, but there is sure to be plenty of attention as they make their first public appearances since attending a Gold Coast court earlier this month on charges of cocaine supply.

Titans’ coach Neil Henry says the scrutiny is something the players have been able to handle.

“The club has been in contact with them,” Henry said.

“The best thing for them, and it showed when they turned up for their weights, there was a bit of a spark, it’s good to be back amongst their peers and for the other players it was good to see them back.

“It’s a positive for the club to move forward. We just needed a resolution to this.”

The Titans head into Sunday’s clash with the Knights bottom of the table with no wins from their opening two fixtures and on the back of a 40-0 hiding against Penrith last weekend.

Henry said while the returning trio would be a boost, it was no guarantee of a turnaround in their results.

“Our ball control was atrocious in the second-half … we sort of gifted field position and possession to the Panthers,” he said.

“We’ve got a bit of work to do, there’s no doubt about that but I’m hopeful there’s a bit more experience in the team, there’s a bit more size and power in the team, and hopefully that transfers into a better performance.”