Gold Coast coach Garth Brennan desperately wants Ash Taylor back in his line-up but he has ruled out rushing the halfback back into the NRL.
Taylor has returned to training after two weeks of leave to deal with personal issues but remains unavailable for selection.
Brennan could only watch as his injury-hit team slumped to a 30-12 hiding by Manly at Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday – their 11th defeat this season.
Taylor is one of several key players sidelined for the Titans including captain Ryan James (knee), representative forward Jai Arrow (ankle) and experienced outside back Michael Gordon (leg).
Despite those absences, Brennan says Taylor’s welfare is paramount and he won’t be coming back into the team until he’s given the all-clear.
“He’s our marquee player, he’s our highest-paid player in the club, it’s been well documented and he’s such an important part of our club and such an important player,” Brennan said.
“He’s your halfback, he’s your general and I want him back in the team but I’ve said before I’m not going to rush him back for the sake of the team.
“His welfare needs to be the most important thing for me.
“When I get the tick off from the specialist to say that he’s right and he’s ready to come back to play some footy, that’s when he’ll play.”