A desperate Gold Coast will welcome back Anthony Laffranchi, Brad Meyers and Esi Tonga for Friday's derby clash with Brisbane, as the Titans look to end their woeful start to the NRL campaign.

The Titans have been well beaten in the opening two matches and defeat to the Broncos at Skilled Park would see them record their worst ever start to a season.

Laffranchi underwent shoulder and wrist surgery in the off-season and returns along with heavily-bearded hardman Meyers, bacK from a minor knee operation.

Tonga has not played since 2009 after tearing a pectoral muscle, and will replace winger Kevin Gordon, who's out for the season with a torn anterior cruciate ligament.

"Esi has had all sorts of injury problems and setbacks," said coach John Cartwright.

"He played in our first trial against the Broncos and if he didn't get injured in that game he probably would have been there to start the year."

To make way for Laffranchi, Bodene Thompson will switch to the centres and Greg Bird moves to five-eighth in place of the axed Luke Capewell.

New signing Timana Tahu isn't named in Penrith's 17-man squad to face Cronulla on Saturday.

Adrian Purtell is selected in the centres in place of the suspended Brad Tighe, who took the early guilty plea on Tuesday for a dangerous throw on Parramatta's Paul Whatuira.

Brett White is recalled for Canberra for the clash with Wests Tigers following his one-match ban, while Josh Dugan is not included in the squad due to a calf injury.

However, the fullback will be given until the last minute to prove his fitness for Saturday's Campbelltown encounter.

"Josh trained on Monday but he'll need to get through a couple more sessions before we can give him the opportunity to take the field," said assistant coach Quentin Pongia.

The Tigers will once again be without Gareth Ellis (ankle) and Bryce Gibbs (knee) for the game, which will be Todd Payten's 250th for the club.

Jason King is back for Manly against Newcastle following his one-game suspension and will resume captaincy duties from Brett Stewart who makes his emotional return to Brookvale for the first time since September 2009.

Knights skipper Kurt Gidley is back after missing last Saturday's win over North Queensland in Townsville.

South Sydney coach John Lang has opted not to change his side following their second successive defeat for the meeting with Parramatta at ANZ Stadium.

Shane Shackleton makes his first start for the Eels at prop, with Chris Walker and Etu Uaisele back from injury and named in the side by coach Stephen Kearney.

Five-eighth James Maloney is back for the Warriors after his week on the sidelines to face St George Illawarra who will be without prop Michael Weyman, due to a groin injury.

He is replaced by David Gower, who will make his debut. Beau Scott could also be out after being charged by the match review committee with dangerous conduct following Monday's defeat to Cronulla.

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