Titans face tense wait on Boyd, Brimson for Raiders clash

Gold Coast are sweating on the fitness of giant prop Shannon Boyd for round one and he's not Justin Holbrook's only injury concern.

The Titans coach said he would know more later in the week about the availability of Boyd (shoulder), AJ Brimson (back) and Moeaki Fotuaika (wrist and knee) for the trip to Canberra next Friday.

Boyd is determined to get himself fit to play his former club after losing seven kilos in the off-season leading into what looms as a critical year for the former Test forward.

The 27-year-old behemoth had a shoulder operation last year and in a cruel blow reinjured it in the Titans' first trial.

"I am worried because you want everyone fit. We don't want to start round one with a few guys out," Holbrook said.

"I got [Boyd] some game time against Burleigh but he aggravated his shoulder a bit. If it settles down a bit he will play round one, but I'm not too sure yet.

"We've just got to get his match fitness up as quick as we can. He is trying really hard. He's lost a lot of weight and when he is fit he will be a big part of our team.

"He is a real enforcer and I expect him to play that part for us."

Holbrook said the Titans took a lot of confidence out of the 28-22 comeback win over the Broncos in the trial at Redcliffe on Saturday night where former Warriors prop Sam Lisone impressed with his leg speed and his charges into the line.

"He is really important for us after losing Ryan James for the year. Sam's come over and I thought he was terrific for us on the weekend," Holbrook said.

"It is exactly what we need, that point of difference, and he'll slot in nicely."

Brimson will play fullback against Canberra if available despite Phillip Sami performing well in the No.1 jersey against Brisbane.

"[AJ] has got a sore back so we backed off his workload to get him right for round one," Holbrook said.

"I am hoping it settles down this week and we can ramp him up next week.

"Phil was great for us but AJ has been fantastic in the pre-season. The last few weeks we've had him in rehab but hopefully if he is right then he will play."

Sami will play on one wing against Canberra and Holbrook said Anthony Don and Jonus Pearson would battle it out for the other spot on the flank.

Mitch Rein has all but wrapped up the starting hooker's role after a stellar pre-season, which he continued against the Broncos.

"Obviously there's him and Peatsy [Nathan Peats] and Erin Clark knocking on the door too," Holbrook said.

"They are all good hookers and bring different things but I think Mitch, the way he has trained and played, is just in front."

The way the Titans played in the NRL Nines and in the trial win over Brisbane has heartened Holbrook.

"We just want to make sure we compete every weekend. I know it was only a trial but we got ourselves in a tough spot last week and fought our way out of it," he said.

"That is the sort of side I want us to be and that our fans want to come and watch."