No date set yet for Walker's first team return
THE countdown to Chris Walker's return has begun.
Uncertainty has surrounded the exact date of Walker's return to the Titans' top squad since he copped an eight-week in-house suspension for an alcohol-fuelled nightclub incident on April 7.
But Titans managing director Michael Searle yesterday confirmed Walker's ban would end on June 25, eight weeks after he entered a rehabilitation program for alcohol and psychological issues.
"He is still a contracted Titans player," said Searle. "He will be invited to come back to full-time training Monday week.
"He is obviously going to have to prove his fitness and then regain the trust of the coach and the playing staff."
Walker has been banished to the Queensland Cup and has proven a revelation for Titans feeder club Ipswich.
Earlier this week Walker was named for Queensland Country for the annual clash with City on June 23.
It puts him in strong contention to make the Queensland Residents side for the encounter with NSW Residents, which will be played as the curtain-raiser for Origin 3 at Suncorp Stadium on July 4.
The earliest Walker could play for the Titans is against the Warriors at Carrara on June 30.
"From my angle that (Walker's return to the NRL) is probably not going to happen overnight," said Searle.
"But he is going to have to take his opportunity when it comes up."
Titans coach John Cartwright confirmed Walker faced a tough fight to regain his starting wing spot.
"I honestly haven't thought about it," said Cartwright.
"He is not available at the moment so there is no point me thinking about it.
"We have still got two games to get through (before he comes back) and I am really happy with the guys we have got there at the moment.
"They have played the last two games for us, which we have won and I have got no reason to look outside those two guys (Matt Petersen and Jake Webster) at the moment to be honest. But there is a small chance anyone in the squad can play every week."
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