Five-eighths Benji Marshall and Mat Rogers can expect to be heavily targeted in Sunday's NRL encounter between Wests Tigers and Gold Coast at Leichhardt but for different reasons.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens publicly criticised Marshall in the wake of his team's 38-26 win over Newcastle last weekend, labelling the New Zealand international a defensive liability.

Rogers is no slouch in defence but he's lacking match fitness due to a four-week suspension for a lifting tackle on Parramatta fullback Luke Burt in round five.

"I haven't played for six weeks with a bye in there," Rogers, 32, said.

"I'm sure they'll come looking for me but hopefully we can measure up.

"I've got a few big ugly blokes beside me so hopefully they can help me out."

The Titans have already declared they will direct plenty of traffic at Marshall, who's played just three NRL matches this year because of a troublesome knee injury.

"We'd be silly if we didn't and they know that as well," Gold Coast assistant coach Trevor Gillmeister said.

"You don't have to be a rocket scientist to work that out, but you just can't target one bloke the whole time.

"If he's sitting on the wing or two-in (in defence), you don't want to be going sideways to get to him but he'll get tested."

Marshall bagged two tries on his return from injury but he made just six tackles and missed four - including two that led to Newcastle tries - in 79 minutes on the field.

Sheens delivered a stinging verbal attack on his players despite the win, claiming former Tigers skipper Scott Prince would tear them apart if they repeated their poor performance in defence at their old stomping ground this weekend.

"Tim Sheens is being the cagey Tim Sheens he always is," Rogers said.

"There's a little bit of method to his madness in publicly criticising his team and expecting them to lift for Sunday's game.

"I've got no doubt they will. They're going home to Leichhardt and they're going to be tough."

Earlier this year Rogers labelled North Queensland skipper Johnathan Thurston a "speed hump" in defence, claiming he'd come back too early from two shoulder reconstructions.

Perhaps wary of the backlash emanating from those comments, Rogers was more sympathetic towards the plight of Marshall, who's had five shoulder operations at age 23.

"We're not under any illusions that running straight at Benji will help us," Rogers said.

"I ran at him last year and he put his shoulder into my chest and knocked me flat on my back.

"I know he can tackle. It's probably a confidence thing for him.

"Anybody who steps onto the football field has to be ready to play and I've got no doubt he will be.

"I'm looking forward to seeing how he goes. He's a talent so we're going to have to watch him."

Rogers said he was itching to be back playing for the competition leaders.

"It's been a tough five weeks," he remarked.

"Just running around the field yesterday and training at five-eighth was good.

"Obviously I didn't have 100 kilo back-rowers running at me. We'll find out how that feels again on Sunday arvo."

Titans lock Daniel Conn (shoulder) has been ruled out for at least a month, with Queensland Origin's 18th man Ashley Harrison shifting to lock and Rogers to wear the No.6 jersey.

Fullback Preston Campbell will make his comeback from an ankle injury while the Titans will be sweating on NSW Origin debutant Anthony Laffranchi backing up.

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