Portsmouth defender Tal Ben Haim says he's planning to take French lessons to help him settle at his new club!

Israel international Ben Haim, 27, will partner Belgian Anthony Vanden Borre, Moroccan Younes Kaboul and Algerian Nadir Belhadj in a multi-national defence.

Ben Haim, one of 14 summer signings, said: "There are a lot of new players at the club and some still need to learn English.

"After I have finished learning English, I need to take some French lessons. As a footballer you have to be ready for every situation and it is important the new players settle in quickly so that we can start picking up some points.

"Nobody had a pre-season together so it is like now is our pre-season. We have to get used to playing together and fit into a new system. But if you do not adapt you are not a good player.

"We are ready for the challenge, to go to Villa and fight for our lives. I hope we can turn things around quickly and get the first win because that gives the team confidence."