Last-placed Gold Coast are expected to rush representative stars Greg Bird and Ashley Harrison back for what is shaping as a must-win NRL clash with Wests Tigers on Friday.

With second-rower Anthony Laffranchi facing six to eight weeks on the sidelines with a high ankle sprain, the inclusion of quality players Bird and Harrison will give the Titans a much-needed lift against a Tigers outfit battling injury.

The Titans trained on Tuesday morning with coach John Cartwright expected to name Bird, who sat out last week's loss to the Cowboys because of a striking suspension, and Harrison, who returns from a slight hamstring injury, for the Skilled Park showdown.

Things are starting to look bleak for last year's finalists who have conceded 123 points in the first five rounds after being so consistent in 2010.

Another loss against the Tigers, a side who can pile plenty of points on teams with defensive weaknesses, would make it a long and tough season for the Titans with very little prospect of playing finals football in September.

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