Western Force have signed former Hurricanes scrum-half Chris Eaton on a short-term contract.

The No.9 has been brought into the Super Rugby squad as cover for Brett Sheehan who is still recovering from the ankle he broke in his run-on debut for the Wallabies against Italy in November in Florence.

Eaton, 28, trained yesterday in Perth with Force squad members who have not travelled to South Africa.

Sheehan expects to be ready for the clash against the Reds in Brisbane on March 16, or the first home game, against the Cheetahs on March 22.

Super squads carry three scrum-halves and the Force have brought Eaton in as cover for Alby Mathewson and Mick Snowden. Eaton played for the Force A side that beat the Rebels Rising side 23-16.

He made 27 appearances in two years at the Hurricanes. Eaton is the brother of All Blacks and Hurricanes second-rower Jason.

Another new signing, utility back Sam Norton-Knight, twice capped by the Wallabies, has also arrived in Perth after finishing his season with Japanese club Panasonic Wild Knights.

Eaton, who grew up with Mathewson in the Hawkes Bay area, was considering a move to Europe but wanted to stay in Super Rugby.

"It's good timing for me and I'll be taking it day by day, training as hard as I can," he said. "There is an opportunity here. Hopefully I can get a few games at Super level."