'Realistic possibility': Jolliffe eyeing off early return to bolster pack

"It's a realistic possibility [to return next weekend]. We've got to do a few things in the gym and tick a few boxes first," Jolliffe told 9 News Gold Coast.

"Obviously there's a lot of footy left to go in the back end of the year so we've got to weigh up what's going to be the best time and the best option."

Rupturing his pec at training on the eve of Round 2, it was a bitter pill to swallow for the 26-year-old, who was in arguably career-best form after blitzing the NRL pre-season challenge and the premiership opener as one of the Gold Coast's starting prop forwards.

But despite the doom and gloom over the past two and a half months, there is now good news ahead with his slated return coming much earlier than first anticipated.

"It was frustrating just how early it was [in the season]. I managed to get the one game in and thought I was coming off a really good pre-season and was just really unlucky," Jolliffe said.

"It sucked early and you've got to come to terms with it a little bit, but as you get into your rehab, you start ticking a few boxes and then you start seeing the light at the end of the tunnel.

"The last few weeks have been a lot more enjoyable and it's footy... injuries happen and I'm very lucky that we've got staff here to to get me back.

"Honestly, I was thinking more back end of the year, but to be back and doing contact and wrestle now is really good."

Whilst the injury to Jolliffe has been tough on the 61-gamer, his absence did create a sliding doors moment for Titans forward Moeaki Fotuaika, who took the starting front row spot with both hands and has been one of the side's best to help fill the void of his fellow teammate.

"Personally, I think he's been probably one of our best. Just his mentality in and around training and on and off the field... he's just so powerful and dominant and his defence has been aggressive," he said.

'He's really stood up for us this year and we've needed him to and I think he's just been terrific. I thought he would have been a real chance [of Maroons selection] and to be honest, I think he will probably play at some point throughout the series.

"We all know he's such a good footballer and I reckon he's probably playing his best year of football this year.

"I'm really looking forward to getting back and I want to play alongside Moey and be out there with him when he's just killing blokes."