Scans have cleared Gold Coast co-captain Luke Bailey of serious knee damage but Titans coach John Cartwright admits the inspirational prop is racing the clock to be fit for Monday night's NRL clash at Penrith.

The ladder-leading Titans on Tuesday still named Bailey in an unchanged 17 for the showdown with the Panthers.

Cartwright hoped the long build-up to the Monday night game would give Bailey enough time to recover - but offered no guarantees.

"He's got a bit of a jarred knee I suppose you could call it - a bit of bone bruising," he said.

"He doesn't need an arthroscope which is good news. But whether he is available for this week we are not real sure yet.

"(But) considering it could have been cartilage and ligament damage, we'd rather have it as it is.

"He just has to have a little bit of rest and he's not out of the picture for this weekend."

Cartwright said the trip to Penrith was up there with playing at Melbourne and Townsville.

He should know - Cartwright played 184 first grade games for Penrith from 1985-1996.

However, the Titans have begun to forge a new reputation as road warriors following recent back to back away wins against the Storm and the Cowboys.

"It (playing at Penrith) is equal I suppose to going to Melbourne or going to Townsville," Cartwright said.

"(But) it's nothing that we haven't put ourselves through so far this year.

"We've been fortunate we've had a long week from Friday (win over Canberra) to Monday because after that we get some really short turnarounds.

"So we're just using this week to try and freshen up and go down there with a fit side because they're going to be tough.

"It's a side that no matter whether you're in front or behind they're never out of the game, they just keep coming at you.

"They leave nothing in the tank and throw balls left right and centre so we're going to have to be on our game."

Titans: Preston Campbell, Kevin Gordon, Esi Tonga, Brett Delaney, Chris Walker, Mat Rogers, Scott Prince (capt), Luke Bailey (capt), Nathan Friend, Michael Henderson, Anthony Laffranchi, Mark Minichiello, Ashley Harrison. Interchange: Matt White, Will Matthews, Luke O'Dwyer, William Zillman.

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