Winless this season and coming off the back of 40-0 hiding, Gold Coast coach Neil Henry knows the return of stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor couldn’t have come at a better time for the Titans.

State of Origin representatives Bird and Taylor, along with reigning player of the year Beau Falloon, will all make their first start of the 2015 campaign on Sunday against Newcastle after having club-imposed suspensions lifted earlier in the week.

The trio, along with outside backs Kalifa Faifai Loa and Jamie Dowling, had been sidelined for the past month after being caught up in the NRL club’s cocaine scandal.

Henry says the lift given by having the players back among the ranks had helped ensure the mood following last weekend’s flogging by Penrith didn’t carry over into this weekend’s game.

“There’s a lot of experience coming back into the team with the three players that are starting, a lot of NRL experience, a lot of games. That’s lifted the team as well,” Henry said.

The coach expects all three to be underdone when it comes to their match fitness but says having the physical impact of Bird and Taylor will be crucial against a tough Knights pack.

NSW Origin star Beau Scott, along with Kiwi veteran Jeremy Smith, have come in for criticism during the week after a borderline targeting of North Queensland five-eighth Johnathan Thurston last weekend.

Scott was slapped with a grade one dangerous contact to the head or neck charge following that game but will be available after taking the early plea.

Henry said there’s no doubt the Titans must prepare for another physical battle on Sunday.

“They’ve got some old heads in their side with Scott and Jeremy Smith,” Henry said.

“They like to play a physical game through the middle. (Kade) Snowden has been very good for them as well and young (Korbin) Sims.”

Henry said he had no issue with the Knights’ tactics, so long as they kept it on the right side of the law.

“As Daniel Mortimer said in the press before, that comes with the territory,” he said.

“No-one can condone foul play. If it’s late or it’s high you expect it to be dealt with but you’re going to get tackled occasionally.”

The only other change for the Titans is the return of Matt White on the bench from a hamstring injury while William Zillman and Josh Hoffman have swapped their positions in the backline.

Hoffman has moved to fullback while Zillman slots in at centre.

The unbeaten Knights have stuck with a winning formula, only adding Tyler Randall to a five-man bench for a second straight trip to Queensland.

MATCH STATS

* Gold Coast haven’t lost their opening three matches of an NRL campaign since 2011, the year they finished with the wooden spoon.

* Titans recruit Josh Hoffman will be taking on his cousin and Knights star Dane Gagai, while Knights’ backrower Robbie Rochow is Titan Greg Bird’s brother-in-law.

* Knights winger James McManus loves scoring against the Titans, he’s got 11 tries in 10 games against the Gold Coast.

* Newcastle have three wins from four trips to CBUS Super Stadium.