Van der Heijden broke his arm playing for Auckland

Newcastle lock Andrew Van der Heijden hopes he can add to the Falcons' set-piece options when he returns to action following injury.

The 26-year-old will have to wait to make his debut, after breaking his arm during Auckland's ITM Cup match against Tasman in November.

"I'm a set-piece orientated player," Van der Heijden told BBC Newcastle.

"I like defence, I enjoy my line-outs. If you're going to be a lock it's got to be a big part of your game."

Van der Heijden added: "I'm fairly mobile, but I like to get in and do the tight work, it's pretty forward-orientated up here I hear, so that will be a good part too."

The former Blues back row is currently undergoing rehabilitation at the club following his arrival in Newcastle earlier this week.

"When I signed up I was fully fit, but then during the last robin games of the ITM Cup at home, I broke the arm and missed out on the home semi-final for them," he continued.

"It was a worrying week to see if it was still on up here, but I am happy to be up here and looking forward to playing.

"I'm seeing the physio and the doctor in the next couple of days.

"I've only had the cast off since last Thursday so it's been about a week with it off and I'm just trying to get my fitness back now."

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