Dekel Keinan insists he is ready to brush his firm friendship with Chelsea's Yossi Benayoun aside in a bid to inspire Blackpool to a shock victory at Stamford Bridge.

The Tangerines defender, who made the move to the Premier League from Maccabi Haifa during the summer, has played a key role in his side's impressive start to life in the top-flight.

Blackpool face Benayoun's Chelsea on Sunday looking for their third consecutive victory away from Bloomfield Road and Keinan is relishing the chance of taking on his fellow Israel teammate.

"Yossi and I are good friends and we are in touch almost every week," said the Blackpool star.

"It will obviously be very exciting to play against him. He called me last week after we won at Newcastle and congratulated me and said how happy he was.

"Obviously, everyone knows that there are big differences between us and Chelsea but I'm sure if we work hard and fight for each other then we can do something.

"Luckily for me I will not miss the game as it is on Sunday. Like every other Jewish person, I will be fasting on Saturday but my body will be ready for the game."

The 26-year-old, who signed a one-year deal with the option to his extend his stay by another 12 months, also says he is settling well into his new life in the north of the country. He added: "I like Blackpool and I like the people, they've been very nice to me."