Newcastle have signed New Zealander Craig Newby in a bid to ease their relegation plight.

The Falcons are currently bottom of the league with 16 points, but Newby is the club's fourth overseas signing in recent weeks.

The 24-year-old flanker joins South African forwards Mark Andrews and Warren Britz, and former All Blacks centre Mark Mayerhofler as recent arrivals at the club.

Newby, who has played Super 12 rugby for Otago Highlanders and North Harbour in New Zealand's National Provincial Championship, is thought to have signed until the end of the season.

He and Mayerhofler could make their Premiership debuts in the Powergen Cup match against London Irish on 22 December.

Mayerhofler is due to arrive on Tyneside on Tuesday while Andrews and Britz will link up with the squad at the end of the month.