Injury-hit Titans scrape together side

Barely a week after signing for the club, Gold Coast recruit Chad Redman will be thrust into the No.9 jersey with no backup for Sunday’s clash with the Sydney Roosters in Gosford.

As the Titans reel from an injury crisis that has wiped out almost all of their playmaking and hooking options, Redman will make his first start for the club after making his debut off the bench in the weekend’s loss to the New Zealand Warriors.

Coach Neil Henry said he will have to get “creative” when it comes to resting the former Newcastle rake during the game.

“We’re not expecting 80 minutes – Daniel Mortimer can move from his role in the halves,” Henry said.

“We’ll just have to do a bit of a shuffle there.

“We can do a bit of dummy-half work and yardage in particular with (David) Meady and our outside backs getting in there.”

Mortimer has been named at halfback with Josh Hoffman at five-eighth.

As expected, the Titans have also given captain Nate Myles the green light to make his belated 200th NRL appearance.

Myles was slated to notch the milestone against the Warriors but a foot injury stemming from State of Origin II forced his late withdrawal.

Stand-in skipper Ryan James (shoulder) has been named to face the Roosters but Henry admitted there was still some doubt over his involvement.

“It’s a bruised shoulder, he’s got no structural damage with it,” Henry said.

“It’s one of those things, it’s really responded, it’s a lot better than it was yesterday and it will be a lot better again tomorrow.

“We’re confident he should be right to go.”

Henry has also given a reprieve to under-fire second-rower Dave Taylor.

The former Queensland forward was sent to the Queensland Cup two weeks ago to find form but never made an appearance in the competition, as he was held on standby for James Roberts, who was battling injury in the lead-up to the round 14 clash with Canterbury.

Taylor came off the bench against the Warriors, curiously spending time in the centres. Henry admitted he is still figuring out the best way to use the burly 26-year-old.

“Time will tell. I’m not the only coach,” he said.

“We showed a bit of faith in using him… hopefully he builds on last week’s effort.”

Gold Coast: David Mead, Anthony Don, James Roberts, Nene Macdonald, Kevin Gordon, Josh Hoffman, Daniel Mortimer, Luke Douglas, Chad Redman, Nate Myles (c), Ryan James, Dave Taylor, Eddy Pettybourne. Interchange: Agnatius Paasi, Mark Ioane, Lachlan Burr, Matt Robinson, Matt White.

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