Gold Coast star Greg Bird will play for the Titans in their must-win NRL clash with the in-form Sydney Roosters on Sunday.

The NSW State of Origin representative was given the all-clear after training on Saturday and will make his return after missing last weekend’s loss to the Warriors with a back injury.

But stand-in fullback David Mead has officially been ruled out after sustaining a broken back against the Warriors, with Kevin Gordon to move in from the wing to wear the No.1 jersey.

Outside backs Steve Michaels and Jordan Atkins have been promoted to the side with prop Mark Ioane named as 18th man for the injury-hit Titans.

Michaels will play on the wing while Atkins will start in the centres alongside Jamie Dowling or Brad Takairangi, who both head to Sydney under an injury cloud.

“We’ll go down with 18,” coach John Cartwright told the club’s Titans.com.au website.

“It (the changes) are a bit unavoidable with the guys that we have injured.

“But we’re still fielding 17 first graders out there. We’ve had to change a few positions but they’re all excited – it’s down to the wire and we’re still in the hunt with two games to go and a win this weekend will keep us there.”