Falcons prop Carl Hayman has spoken of the determination within the Newcastle camp to turn round their current fortunes, as they host Gloucester in Guinness Premiership action on Sunday (kick-off 3pm).

Fit again after a two-month lay-off with knee trouble, the All Black icon said: “It can be quite difficult when you're in a run like we are at the moment, because you play to win and to be successful. That hasn't been the case for us so far this season, but it's in our hands to change the way things are going.

“You'd like to think there is some light at the end of the tunnel for us, and I think all people in whatever walk of life during their career go through a time like this, where your team or your company doesn't do so well. It's just a part of life, part of the game and a test of your character.

“I've been in the situation with Otago and the Highlanders where a team has been struggling near the bottom of the table. All you can worry about is the next game, and keeping things positive. It's pointless worrying about anything further down the track, and being negative about things doesn't help the cause.

“There's no reason at all why we can't fight our way out of this.

“The season so far hasn't gone as planned, that's fair to say, and there have been a few obstacles put in the way of the team with injuries and other bits and pieces which haven't really helped the cause. But this is a very tight competition where we know we can beat teams. We got done hands down last weekend at London Irish, but those sort of blow-out scorelines are pretty rare in this comp and we know we can hold our own against teams. Most games in the Guinness Premiership are won by less than one or two scores, and if we start tasting a wee bit of success then winning becomes a habit. So, unfortunately, does losing, but if we can tip the scales in just one of these games I think we'll see it build from there.

“The signs here at Newcastle are potentially good, especially when you consider the level of talent that we have in this region, which has impressed me hugely. From a long-term view it looks to me like the future is pretty sound here, but the north-east needs a Premiership rugby team to see that come to fruition.”

With the relegation concept not totally foreign to Hayman despite his recent move to English shores, he said: “They used to have it in New Zealand with the old NPC, but they seem to have got rid of it just recently.

“In a strange sort of way I find it quite stimulating, because there's still a lot to play for even though we haven't started the season as we would have wanted. If there was no relegation then the teams down at the bottom might be saying even half-way through the season that this campaign is already over, let's start building for the next one, but with something as serious as relegation it does mean there's no shortage of motivation for us. It's definitely not the sort of pressure that you would want, but you just have to step up and deal with it.

“It's just a matter of keep on keeping on. Results haven't gone our way, but you've just got to keep looking forward to the next game, keep working hard to help the cause in the knowledge that results will come. To be fair to the boys they're really putting the effort in, and we just have to keep believing.

“A few young guys have been chucked in right at the deep end this season with the way circumstances have fallen for us, but the club will be better off for those lads having taken that plunge. They will be much more experienced footballers even at such a young age, so it does have a positive side, but it's just trying to get the results whilst we're bringing through these very talented young blokes at the same time. Long term it has to be good for us, because those players will make a real difference to this club over a number of years.”

Having found himself sidelined for the tail end of 2008, Hayman stated: “Being injured for two months has been frustrating, feeling powerless to help the boys when I'm sat in the stands, but at least now that I'm fit again I feel like I have a contribution to make.

“Basically I hyper-extended and compressed my knee, which serves me right really for trying to charge down a kick and landing on a straight leg!

“I felt at the time that I wasn't in too much pain and that it would only be a couple of weeks, so I was surprised when the doctors said it was more likely to be two months. As the recovery went on though you could see where they were coming from, because it was one of those that really needed time to come right to avoid a much longer lay-off further down the track.”

With Hayman due to head home later this month to walk down the aisle with fiancee Natalie, he said: “In the wee break coming up towards the end of January I'm back in New Zealand for my wedding.

“It's something I'm looking forward to, although we have such important games after that time that I'm obviously focused on that as well. The only game I miss is the European match at El Salvador, so the way the fixtures have worked out should mean there's pretty minimal disruption from a Falcons point of view.”

But with Gloucester foremost in his thoughts this week, he added: “We've seen them twice this season already, and obviously to be where they are in the standings means they're a great team.

“We competed really well when they came up here in November, losing by just one point in the last few minutes, which showed to us that they are beatable if we can get ourselves right. Playing at home it's a great opportunity for us, and with a good crowd in the guys can play some quality rugby.”

In typical straight-talking Hayman style, he also refused to sidestep questions over his own future, with persistent rumours in the Kiwi press regarding a return at the end of this season after a recent trip to his homeland.

“New Zealand is about as big as South Shields, so when guys have seen my face back down there they've put two and two together and come up with this speculation. But that's all it is, speculation” he said.

“It's summer down there at the moment, whereas it's been minus 12 degrees in Newcastle this week, so maybe it's not such a bad option on the sun-tan front!

“On a serious note though, yeah I've seen all the speculation down there. It really just comes from the fact that I popped home for a wee bit a couple of weeks ago to sort out a personal matter, but it wasn't a rugby trip at all and I didn't speak to anyone about moving back home.

“I have a contract to stay in Newcastle until June 2010, and at this stage I intend to honour that.

“As with all employer/employee relations there are points within that timeframe where both parties can review the situation, but as I've said, at this stage there are no plans on my part to leave.

“It's something that will have to be looked at further down the road, and it's the same as in any other job, you either keep working where you are or you go and work elsewhere. At this stage nothing has been mentioned with regards to that, so as far as I'm concerned I'll play the season out here to help us get some results and climb up the table. From there, if there was a decision to make, then for me it would be to see out the rest of my contract here.

“From a club point of view there's also a decision for them to make, and then if the worst happened and we went down to National Division One, what happens in that situation? If the club weren't heading in a direction, and there was no desire to improve, then obviously everyone has to have a good think about things.

“There's a fair bit of water to go under the bridge just yet, but I would dearly love to stay and honour the last year of my contract. As a club we know we have to turn a lot of things around before we can be successful and be the club that people in the north-east are crying out for, challenging for the Heineken Cup spots. But I'm just a player though, so I'll continue to focus on the things that I can affect and not those that I can't.”