THEY appear extreme outsiders to line up at Carrington Park in just under a fortnight, but according to Gold Coast Titans coach Neil Henry, his five players facing drug charges should be allowed to compete.

The Titans are set to play the Penrith Panthers at Bathurst on March 14 in the second round of the 2015 NRL competition.

Given the close proximity of that date to the scheduled court appearances, Henry is looking at understrength line-up to take on a Panthers side many expect to be amongst the frontrunners this season.

Beau Falloon and Jamie Dowling will face Southport Magistrates Court this Friday, two days before the Titans' NRL season opener against Wests Tigers.

And State of Origin stars Greg Bird and Dave Taylor plus outside back Kalifa Faifai Loa are set to appear on March 9.

The matters are expected to take up to two years to resolve, but Henry believed the players should be given the green light to play after their initial court appearance.

"There's been players who've had to go to court, but they've still played, they haven't been stood down, in a variety of codes, not just rugby league," Henry said.

"In fact, playing football and being around their mates will be a real bonus.

"The isolation at the moment is making it really difficult for our players."

Things are looking much better for the Panthers.

Late last week Penrith re-signed two of their brightest young stars, extending the NRL contracts of Tyrone Peachey and Waqa Blake.

Utility Peachey has signed a two-year extension which will keep him at the foot of the mountains until the end of 2017.

"I think I'm playing my best footy at the moment, and Ivan [Cleary, coach] is giving me plenty of opportunity to prove myself, which makes me want to work even harder," former Cronulla Shark Peachey said.

Emerging centre Blake will also stay at Penrith until 2017 after adding one year to his contract.