Gold Coast are hoping Dave Taylor can recover from a calf injury in time for Sunday’s NRL clash with North Queensland.
The giant forward was named in the Titans’ line-up to take on the Cowboys at Skilled Park despite still struggling with the calf strain that forced him to miss last Sunday’s win over Parramatta at Mudgee.
Titans coach John Cartwright said Taylor would be given every chance to prove his fitness with the club’s back-row stocks depleted following Nate Myles, Greg Bird and Ashley Harrison’s State of Origin selections.
“You’re taking guys that play big minutes out of the squad and a lot of experience,” Cartwright said.
“You can’t hide from it, they’re going to be a major blow.”
Apart from Taylor, the Titans have also chosen utility Luke O’Dwyer as he makes a comeback from a broken jaw while Mark Minichiello is restored to the starting line-up to cover for the Origin absentees.
Utility Jamie Dowling will start on the bench in what will be just his second NRL appearance for the Titans while fullback Will Zillman will take over the captaincy in the absence of co-captains Bird and Myles.
The match will also be Jamal Idris’ 100th NRL appearance.
Titans: Will Zillman (capt), Kevin Gordon, Brad Takairangi, Jamal Idris, Anthony Don, Aidan Sezer, Albert Kelly, Luke Bailey, Matt Srama, Luke Douglas, David Taylor, Mark Minichiello, Luke O’Dwyer. Interchange: Ryan James, Mark Ioane, Jamie Dowling, Sam Irwin.
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