Gold Coast are ignoring Brisbane's horrendous injury toll and anticipate a backs-to-the-wall performance when they meet the Broncos at Skilled Park on Friday night.

History shows the local derbies - which the Broncos lead 3-2 - produce thrilling finishes, with just five points separating the teams in for against across the five matches they've played.

But after Origin duo Karmichael Hunt and Peter Wallace joined captain Darren Lockyer, Sam Thaiday, Israel Folau, Tonie Carroll and Nick Kenny on the sidelines on Thursday, bookmakers were offering $3.75 about a Brisbane victory - the best odds for the six-time premiers in more than a decade.

Titans co-skipper Scott Prince, a former Bronco and a premiership winner with the Tigers, conceded Brisbane were below strength but said history showed they were very dangerous when faced with adversity.

"Obviously they're missing a lot of quality players with a stack of experience and we know a wounded Broncos is a dangerous opponent," said Prince, who will line up against 19 year-old one-game rookie Ben Hunt.

The Titans have an injury concern of their own and will have to wait until Friday morning to find out if relentless defender Nathan Friend (ankle) will play at hooker.

Former Bronco Ian Lacey and 20 year-old Penrith product and Toyota Cup hooker Kayne Lawton were on standby.

Friend appeared no chance of being able to play earlier in the week after injuring his ankle against the Bulldogs last Friday, playing his second game in four days.

"It was terrible two days ago, but we will just wait and see tomorrow," said Friend, who did not train on Thursday.

"I'll go see the physio in the morning and see if the swelling's stayed away.

"It's lateral ligament (damage) so if we can strap it up real tight it should be okay."

"I went for a jog this morning and functionally everything worked okay, it's just the pain that's there, so hopefully if we keep the swelling down, it shouldn't impinge too much."

With dual international Mat Rogers ruled out, lightweight utility Preston Campbell will move to five-eighth with William Zillman taking over at fullback.

Kiwi born prop Aaron Cannings is also back from injury adding some extra go forward to the Titans pack.

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