Even as early as against the Gold Coast Titans, with Raiders prop Ryan Sutton feeling it would help them against a pack containing Tino Fa'asuamaleaui and David Fifita on Saturday.

Sutton was part of a Green Machine middle unit that had to play massive minutes in the loss to the Warriors.

The Englishman played 73 minutes, Josh Papalii 69, Siliva Havili 67 and Sia Soliola 52 after Joe Tapine (ankle), Ryan James (concussion) and Sebastian Kris (concussion) were all ruled out of the game inside the opening 13 minutes.

James and Kris will have to complete the NRL's concussion protocols during the week to play the Titans, while Tapine will have scans on Monday.

It's feared he's done ligament damage, but NRL Physio Brien Seeney said a worse-case scenario could see a return in as little as 3-5 weeks.

If Kris passes the protocols, he could be needed to switch to right centre with Curtis Scott (ribs) also undergoing scans on Monday.

The Raiders do have cover in the middle forwards, with Dunamis Lui, Emre Guler, Corey Horsburgh and Corey Harawira-Naera all options to come in for Tapine and James.

Sutton felt the resilience they showed against the Warriors could be a weapon against the Titans.

"Of course, because they're a talented young bunch of players. They've recruited really well this year so they'll be up for it," Sutton said.

"Whoever we put in the squad can handle whatever we do.

"Really looking forward to getting up there on the Gold Coast and playing against a really good side. See how we go."

MORE RAIDERS NEWS

Raiders co-captain Jarrod Croker got through his return from shoulder surgery relatively unscathed - although he did have a nasty finger dislocation in the first half.

He was full of praise for the work his middle forwards got through with very little rest.

While he was unhappy with conceding 34 points against the Warriors, Croker said it was a proud performance they could build on for the rest of the season.

"I know it's after a loss, but that performance [on Saturday] - we've built that over the last couple of years," he said.

"We've built that with hard work and [putting the] team first and working hard for each other.

"It might be 34 points [against] on the scoreboard, which we're obviously not happy about, but it's so fast out there and when you've got no middles - those boys, Papa, Sia and Sutto, they had to work so hard for such a long period of time - it just takes its toll.

"We can build off that. We won't lose any confidence. I know we won't lose any admirers from our fans.

"We're disappointed as well, but there's a lot of positives to take out of the loss. It's deflating at first, but looking back on it I think we can certainly build on it."

NRL ROUND FOUR

Saturday: Canberra Raiders v Gold Coast Titans at the Gold Coast, 7.35pm.