A mystery abdominal ailment is set to force Gold Coast into a fourth different halves combination in as many NRL matches.

Titans youngster Ash Taylor is almost certain to miss Saturday’s clash with Canterbury in Sydney after being hospitalised during the week.

The 21-year-old trained on Friday before the Titans jetted out of Queensland but coach Neil Henry said there was still strong doubt the halfback would face the Bulldogs.

“Surgeons couldn’t really work it out,” Henry said of Taylor’s ailment.

“We thought originally appendicitis or a gall bladder infection. I think what he’s done is got a slight tear in one of the oblique muscles.

“He seems okay today but he’s still got a bit of discomfort so he’ll be highly unlikely to play.”

Taylor’s likely absence will mean a recall for Cameron Cullen, who debuted a fortnight ago against Cronulla.

Cullen himself made way for Tyrone Roberts for last weekend’s clash with St George Illawarra after the ex-Newcastle playmaker spent the past fortnight on the sidelines with a knee injury.

Henry concedes the chopping and changing to his halves pairings is disruptive but he’s confident in Cullen’s ability after a strong debut performance against the Sharks.

“Cullo didn’t let anyone down in that debut game against Cronulla,” Henry said.

“He scored a try and he’s nice and direct. Tyrone might have to take on a little bit more of the kicking but he tends to be the dominant kicker anyway.

“Ash has been good but I think we’ve got a capable back-up if he’s not there.”