Des delighted by Dave decision but focus now on Knights

Des Hasler may be elated with David Fifita choosing to remain a Titan for a further two seasons, but it's business as usual for the Gold Coast coach who has quickly switched his focus to an all-important Magic Round clash against the Knights.

Wanting to remain coy on the star forward's retention despite initially signally he would head to Sydney next season, the experienced mentor is expecting Fifita to deliver another strong performance at Suncorp Stadium on Saturday after a strong and consistent past month.

"It’s a great outcome for the club, a great outcome for the team, the community and for David himself," Hasler said.

"At the end of the day, the cooling off period is just that. It’s for all parties to acclimatise.

"He will now just get on with what needs to be done."

Fifita will be one of the more experienced players to run out for the Titans against the Novocastrians after the club saw four more players join the growing casualty ward against the Cowboys; AJ Brimson, Kieran Foran, Phil Sami and Harley Smith-Shields joining Tino Fa'asuamaleaui, Jayden Campbell and Tanah Boyd on the sidelines.

But Hasler doesn't want to use that as an excuse with a strong belief in the members of the roster who have been tasked to come in and do a job in their place.

"It’s always a tough period [this time of the season with injuries]," Hasler said.

"I think what makes it not necessary tougher but with most sides at the moment around this period leading into Origin is there is a lot of injuries, so lots of clubs are having to deal with that as well.

"The next six to eight weeks are going to really testing for clubs in the NRL.

"Obviously we’re down on troops, but we’ve been working really hard on that next man up mentality where players will step up to the bridge and get the job done."

But in what could be an added boost for the Titans given their makeshift halves pairing of Chris Randall and Sam Verrills who are both traditionally hookers, young gun Tom Weaver has been floated as a late inclusion should he be passed fit on game day.

"He’s in the 19 and coming back from a fractured wrist... we’ll give him up to kick-off," Hasler said.