Key Gold Coast recruit Reagan Campbell-Gillard is not concerned about the side's NRL prospects despite a disappointing opening loss.

The former Parramatta and Test forward played his first NRL game for the club in the 40-24 loss to Canterbury after the Titans had a first-round bye.

They now host joint competition leaders Newcastle on Saturday night.

Campbell-Gillard only ran for 70m in a 39-minute stint at Belmore Sportsground but it was his first outing in more than six months after he sustained a pre-season shoulder injury.

"I'm still a bit rusty," he said.

"It's my first week back at training so the combinations and game fitness and little things with detail will come.

"It's going to take a couple more weeks for us to feel like we're in the right spot."

Last year, Gold Coast had a dire start to the season and did not recover after losing their opening six matches.

Campbell-Gillard said that was not a concern this season and that coach Des Hasler did not unleash with a customary roast of the side.

"No, he was good," he said.

"We're all positive. I'd be very concerned if we didn't score any points.

"I'm not worried one bit about our team.

"We can score points, it's a matter of nailing the fundamentals in terms of errors and completions."

Down 22-0 after 20 minutes the Titans could have conceded a cricket score but fought back before the Bulldogs kicked away.

"Our tries were pretty freakish and off the back of good skills from individuals," he said.

"It's not the start we were expecting. We just weren't in it. We gave the Bulldogs 22 points and were then chasing our tails.

"It's a learning curve for the team."

The Titans will be without winger Alofiana Khan-Pereira (hamstring) and prop Jaimin Jolliffe (calf) against the unbeaten Knights.

"The Knights are playing some very good football. We have to be in the contest and set up the game," Campbell-Gillard said.

"It will be a good battle. It's our chance to turn things around in out first home game."