NRL: Titans skipper confirmed for Penrith clash

Gold Coast maestro Scott Prince has declared his injured thumb 100 per cent ready to handle a taxing examination by the big Penrith pack on Saturday night.

Prince will make a surprise early NRL return after proving his fitness by cruising through a Friday morning training session at Skilled Park.

The Titans captain broke his right thumb against Canberra a month ago and only had a pin removed on Tuesday.

But Prince said he held no fears in starting at halfback wearing a custom-made guard against the in-form Panthers.

"I feel really confident and I'm pretty happy I'll be taking the field tomorrow," he said. "I got through the session pretty easy.

"It's going to be sore but I wouldn't be taking the field if I didn't think I'd finish the 80 and be a liability out there."

Second-placed Penrith possess one of the most punishing packs in the competition at present and Prince expects the likes of Petero Civoniceva, Frank Pritchard and Trent Waterhouse to fully test him out.

"I'm sure we'll see a few more hit-ups from Pritchard coming my way," he said after some extra defensive drills.

But the star No.7 insisted the early return was not with Queensland Origin selection in mind, rather it was a result of a quick recovery from a break expected to keep him sidelined for six months.

His presence is major boost to the third-placed Titans, who were able to produce upsets of Melbourne and away to Manly without their playmaker.

Preston Campbell, a stand-out at halfback in Monday night's 24-22 comeback victory over Manly, moves back to fullback with William Zillman going to the bench.

Coast coach John Cartwright felt Prince's fresh legs and mind will be a major advantage coming off a five-day turnaround.

"It will be an advantage having (Prince) come back fresh after a short turnaround," Cartwright said. "He's had four weeks off his legs - he's buzzing, he can't wait."

The news did not surprise Penrith coach Matt Elliott after preparing all week for Prince to play but he's more concerned Campbell is also freed up to pop up anywhere in attack.

"I feel that Preston has done a fantastic job," Elliott said.

"Regardless of whether Scott was in the team or not we acknowledge the quality of Preston as a player.

"And he's still there as well so it doesn't make the task any easier."

Like the Titans, Penrith is also coming off a rousing come-from-behind win over the Wests Tigers to be on 10 points behind pacesetters St George Illawarra on the table.

Titans forward Michael Henderson missed training due to illness but Cartwright denied he was in doubt.

- AAP

- AAP