Cocaine charges against Bird were thrown out in a Gold Coast court on Thursday because of a lack of evidence.

Titans chief executive Graham Annesley said while it was too early to discuss who would lead the side out next year, he did not rule a line through Bird’s name.

Bird was at long odds to lead the club after he was dumped as co-captain for urinating in public at the end of last year.

But the club’s dearth of senior experience and with his legal problems behind him, Bird has bolted into contention to take over captaincy duties from Manly-bound Nate Myles.

The NSW Origin back-rower acted as stand-in captain against Parramatta in August after Luke Douglas and Ryan James had filled that role earlier in the season.

“Given that this decision has only been announced today, the captaincy’s not something that we need to worry about until next season,” Annesley said.

“It’s far too early to even consider the implications of that. There are a lot of new players coming into the club. (Coach) Neil (Henry) is going to have to make that decision next year.”

Annesley also reassured that Bird would see out his contract after he was linked to moves to Canberra and Manly earlier this year.

Bird was one of five Gold Coast players to be stood down during the height of the club’s cocaine scandal.

Bird, Dave Taylor, Beau Falloon Jamie Dowling and Kalifa Faifai Loa missed the first two rounds after being charged in March.

Faifai Loa and Falloon joined Bird in having their cases thrown out on Thursday while Taylor and Dowling have been ordered to stand trial.