VERSATILE New Zealand back Bryce Heem is poised to make his Worcester Warriors debut in Saturday’s crucial home Aviva Premiership clash against Newcastle Falcons (3pm).

Heem arrived in the UK last week after starring for Auckland in the ITM Cup in New Zealand and has trained with his new team-mates this week.

The 26-year-old could replace wing Tom Biggs, who was taken off after a bang on the head in Warriors’ narrow 24-22 derby defeat at Gloucester, in Worcester’s line-up.

With Biggs undergoing the “return to play” protocol for concussion, Warriors could field Heem and former Australia international Cooper Vuna on opposing wings.

Dan George has a broken foot and new Georgian international hooker Jaba Bregvadze will be challening the outstanding Niall Annett for a place in the side.

Flanker Phil Dowson has missed training this week after picking up a hip injury, but director of rugby Dean Ryan “is hopeful” the former Newcastle player will be available.

Dowson and skipper Gerrit-Jan van Velze have both made 45 tackles – the most by any player after three rounds of the Premiership.

Ryan Mills (41), Donncha O’Callaghan (40) and Annett (39) complete the list of the top five tacklers in the top tier.

Scrum-half Jean-Baptiste Bruzulier has returned to Worcester after a successful loan spell at French club Clermont Auvergne.

Ryan said: “Dan George has broken a bone in his foot which makes Jaba’s arrival all more relevant so we are more likely to have his involvement this weekend.

“Bryce (Heem) has trained all week. We know what Bryce can do – he’s just done a Super Rugby season and an ITM season.

“We didn’t rush him in last week because he had just got off the plane. We will need his quality in the side so we will expect him to be around the squad this weekend.”

Of Dowson, Ryan said: “He has been pretty sore all week. We are trying to be consistent in our selection and we have not necessarily got every person training every day. But we are hopeful he will be OK for the weekend.”

Newcastle are bottom of the Premiership, alongside London Irish, are failing to pick up any points from their opening three matches.

Falcons were thumped 41-3 at home by Exeter Chiefs last Sunday.

Worcester, who are 10th, have lost just once to Newcastle in their last five Premiership clashes.

Falcons claimed a 16-11 triumph at Sixways in October 2013 on their last visit.

Ryan admitted: “We’re disappointed by how much defending we’re having to do and that probably sits around field position.

“We always said there were things we had to learn about the Premiership and one of the things is the strangehold that teams can put on you and keep you in your own half.”

He added: “We are pretty excited about getting back home. We had a good start to the season against Northampton and we’re hoping people to come out and get behind us.

“This is a side (Newcastle) who have been in the Premiership for a few years and they will be adept at things which enable them to survive.

“Newcastle are playing a lot of rugby and changing the pitch has probably forced their hand on that.

“Since they have changed the pitch there has been a change of emphasis and it’s probably a bit too early in the season to judge them.

“This is a game both of us will want to win because any win is valuable towards getting momentum.”