Benji Marshall's former partner in crime Scott Prince believes the Wests Tigers five-eighth's mental scars have healed as the two prepare to do battle in Sunday's Leichhardt Oval NRL clash.

Gold Coast co-captain Prince will return to his ex-club's spiritual home for the first time to confront his 2005 premiership-winning halves partner Marshall, who made a tentative return from a knee injury in last week's win over Newcastle.

The two stars' careers have taken different paths since Prince left the Tigers in 2006, with Marshall battling a series of confidence-shaking shoulder injuries - as well as the knee complaint this season - and the Titans No.7 rising to be hailed as among the best in the game.

Tigers coach Tim Sheens blasted his side, singling out Marshall's attitude and ability in defence, despite last week's win, but Prince denied the Titans would target the five-eighth, who has had five shoulder operations.

"I think the shoulder side of things is all finished and done with," said Prince.

"I'll tell you from personal experience, when you're coming back from injury, it's always in the back of your mind until you get a few games under your belt.

"If we start going into the game thinking `run at Benji' we'll be moving away from what we've been doing well and moving away from our game plan.

"We'll have our opportunities during the game (to target Marshall) but that's not our sole purpose in beating the Tigers." Prince also revealed that Sheens' side was not the only one to cop a spray last weekend.

The Titans took their foot off the Bulldogs' throat after a commanding start to eventually get home by just four points, with statistics showing made more tackles, more errors and less metres.

"We copped a barrage too from the Bulldogs game," Prince said.

"I wouldn't say it was all smiles from that one.

"Our ball-handling was bullshit and our completion rate was down massively.

"In terms of Sheensy getting up his team, it might be a ploy to have them raring to go.

"I don't think they need too much motivation at Leichhardt Oval on Sunday afternoon up against the team on top of the ladder."

The Tigers will be close to full strength on Sunday with only forwards Ryan O'Hara (jaw) and Todd Payten (hamstring) unavailable.

Gold Coast will be bolstered by the returns of five-eighth Mat Rogers from a four-week suspension and fullback Preston Campbell from an ankle injury, but will be without NSW back-rower Anthony Laffranchi, who picked a shoulder injury in last Wednesday's State of Origin win over Queensland.

Prop Brad Meyers is expected to drop back to the second-row to cover for Laffranchi, with Michael Hodgson returning to the front-row and Luke Swain coming on to the bench.

Prince is happy to have his new halves partner, Rogers, back.

"He takes a bit of pressure off, not only with the ball-playing but with the general play kicking," he said.

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