Whitehaven have received a major pre-derby boost by securing the long-term signatures of their two Papua New Guinea stars.

Jessie Joe Parker has signed a two-year deal, while Dion Aiye has penned a one-year deal with the Recreation Ground club, who travel to Workington on Sunday for a crucial Championship derby.

Aiye, 28, is in his second season with Haven after being capped eight times by his country, and a member of the Papua New Guinea squad at the 2013 World Cup.

He will be a key player for Haven in Sunday’s derby but fellow countryman Parker will miss out because of a torn hamstring which is liable to keep him out for the rest of the season.

Parker, who was 31 last week, first joined Haven in 2012 and since then has clocked-up over 100 appearances for the Recreation Ground club with a splendid strike rate of around one try every two games.

He has been capped 13 times for Papua New Guinea between 2007 and 2013 and has become a big crowd favourite with Whitehaven.

Haven’s general manager Amanda Hewer said: “The club is delighted to announce the signing of both Jessie Joe and Dion.

“The club’s football committee, along with directors Gary Eilbeck and Mark Stamper, has been working hard on these signings which take time and patience. It’s a great boost for the club before going to Workington on Sunday.

“It shows that these two players are committed not only to the club but to the town itself. They are immensely popular with the public and let’s hope the signings spur on the team to victory.”

Whitehaven recently secured the signing of former Super League prop Carl Forster on an 18-month deal so despite the threat of relegation are pushing ahead with their team-building programme.