NEWCASTLE centre Luke Eves claims the word relegation has not crossed the lips of a single person at the club – despite the Falcons securing just one Aviva Premiership victory this term.

The 21-year-old has already been haunted by the ghost of relegation during his fledgling career after forming part of the Bristol side that dropped into the Championship in 2009.

Newly-installed head coach Alan Tait swooped for Eves in the summer after his home-town club failed to bounce back to the top flight at the first attempt.

And despite both Tait and Eves failing to hit the ground running, the former England U20 captain believes there’s no need to panic.

“Nobody at the club has even mentioned relegation, we are only five games into the season so it is too early for anything like that,” said Eves, who is backing the Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme, which represents a significant investment (£2 million) in grassroots rugby.

“We have played five games and we have won one which we know is a record we need to improve but we haven’t been too far wrong.

“It is better than winning nothing and we know that we need to cut out the errors and then we won’t be far away but we’re learning as players and we are gelling as a team.”

Eves has switched between 12 and 13 this season but delivered a manof- the-match display against Bourgoin at inside centre.

Tait returned him to the 13 shirt for the 32-8 defeat at Montpellier and despite admitting to being more at home against Bourgoin, Eves is happy to sacrifice his own comfort for the good of the team.

“I definitely consider myself as a 12 and that is where I would always pick to play but I am happy just doing a job for the team,”

added Eves, who started at 12 in defeat against Saracens last Friday night.

“We are developing as a team and I am developing as a player and it is important for me that I get as much game time as possible to do that.

“If that means playing 13 or anywhere else then I will do it because I want to be playing and learning in the Premiership and in the European games.

“Alan is always good about anything I have to say and he is a real players’ coach and he will listen to you but he’ll also tell you what he needs from you.

“I’ve really enjoyed playing under him and I am enjoying being at Newcastle and I am enjoying being back in the Premiership.”

■ The Aviva Premiership Rugby Schools Programme is designed to increase participation in the sport and unearth young England stars of the future. Find out more at avivapremiershiprugby.com