Myles facing test of burden

TOUGH Titans skipper Nate Myles has been urged to not push his shoulder to the limits.

Myles will lead an understrength Titans outfit on to Cbus Super Stadium on Saturday for their NRL seasonopener against Wests Tigers.

It’s likely the Queensland hardman will wear the No.13 jersey given Greg Bird has been stood down indefinitely in relation to the cocaine crisis.

Ashley Harrison had a mortgage on the Gold Coast’s lock position for six years with his workhorse performances the key to many Titans successes.

Harrison was a regular 80minute player while NSW Origin star Bird is also accustomed to playing big minutes.

But Myles has been told to work his way back into form.

The 29-year-old underwent two shoulder operations in the off-season and has had a limited pre-season.

He has only played one preseason trial and was put on ice early due to expected pain.

Titans physiotherapist Greg Condon said he planned to increase Myles’ workload as the season progressed.

“It will just be sore for the first half a dozen times or so he plays,” he said.

“We will try and expand his minutes out every time.

“He will get used to it every time.

“It’s AC joint soreness. He can’t really do anything to it. It’s just sore.

“If we can push up his minutes slowly then he won’t be so sore during the week.”

There will be plenty expected of Myles in the absence of Origin duo Dave Taylor and Bird.

The Titans have been rocked by five players being stood down and will field up to six club debutants against the Tigers.

But Myles said he wasn’t focusing on the unavailable players, instead throwing his support behind the newcomers who would fill their roles.

“I have a lot of confidence,” he said. “There’s a couple of really good kids coming through and our depth at the moment is very strong.

“We need to utilise that and keep everyone fit.

“The focus is preparation and getting the strongest side possible

“Our focus is the playing roster we’ve got now.

“If we turned it into a waiting game about whether they (five players) can or can’t play would be a bit silly.

“What we’ve got now is a fantastic bunch of footballers.

“The side we put out on the field for Round 1 is going to be very strong.

“We have to focus on preparing well for that.”

Coach Neil Henry will name his team for the match today.