In the home dressing room at the Amex today, before Albion's bid to make club history against MK Dons, the music will be playing but Beram Kayal will be alone with his thoughts.

"Before a match I may read or listen to the Koran," he said. "I have done this for a while, it makes me relaxed and focused and it's what I believe so I am not going to change that."

It is just about the only time Kayal is not right in the thick of the action, such has been the Arab Israeli midfielder's influence since moving from Celtic in January.

Kayal, together with his accomplice Dale Stephens, has become the heartbeat of the side seeking to upstage the team of 1930-31 by extending their unbeaten league run since the last game of last season at Middlesbrough to 17 matches.

He has left behind the injuries which stalled his career in Glasgow and last season's unfamiliar but valuable struggle with the Seagulls at the wrong end of the Championship.

"It was a great experience for me to be in the lower half of the table last season," Kayal said. "I have been at clubs that finish at the top more often than not like Celtic and Maccabi (Haifa).

"we won a lot of trophies at both clubs and I want to bring those experiences to my friends here and challenge at the top of the league."

Kayal and Stephens will be key to Albion's chances of staying in the promotion hunt. Manager Chris Hughton regards them as one of the top central midfield partnerships in the division.

It will cost the Seagulls an extra £100,000 as part of the two-and-a-half year deal which brought Kayal south of the border if they go up, a tiny price to pay for the Premier League riches on offer.

Hughton was interested in Kayal when he was in charge at Norwich before making the 27-year-old the first permanent signing of his reign for a £325,000 fee which looks paltry now.

"He is playing like the person I expected him to be," Hughton said. "He has got a real drive, he wants to play a lot of games and, after having a fluctuating time at Celtic and a big injury, he is delighted to be back playing football.

"He has built a great relationship with Dale Stephens. If I am looking at consistent partnerships there's Middlesbrough’s two midfielders, including Leadbitter, but I don't see many better."

The big difference for Kayal since joining Albion has been his health. He has been ever-present in the Championship apart from the 0-0 draw in the last home game against Preston which he missed due to a ban for five bookings, highlighting the combative tendencies he combines with technical proficiency.

He makes his 32nd league start for Albion today, which is already halfway towards his tally in four-and-a-half years at Celtic blighted by a series of ailments including a broken foot sustained in a tackle by Kaka against AC Milan in the Champions League and a broken ankle inflicted by Rangers captain Lee McCulloch in an Old Firm derby.

"Playing every game is the best feeling for any footballer," said Kayal. "It's what were are here to do. I'm happy and enjoying the football.

"I have had bad luck with injuries but I am glad to be playing again. My family are happy when I am happy and playing football, I want to enjoy every moment and I always thank my dad for giving me the level of fitness and health. When I was injured I really missed coming to training and playing in front of the fans."

Kayal is content off the pitch too. He is enjoying the kinder South Coast climate compared to Glasgow - "it's colder up there" - with wife Angela and their 14-month-old son Pirlo.

The moniker for their offspring is by way of tribute to Italian midfield maestro Andrea Pirlo. It was also Kayal's nickname when he was growing up, kicking a ball about in the streets of Jadeidi in Northern Israel.

"We played against Juve in the last 16 of the Champions League when we qualified with Celtic," Kayal said. "He is magic. He's old, he was 33 then, but he's class. He never misses a ball. If you go to press him high, he just needs one touch and the ball is over or past you. What a player."

Kayal's fitness, Albion's success and his happy home life have made it easier to deal with being away from the rest of the family.

"It's not difficult to be away from them at the moment," he said. "I have experienced six years away from my home.

"They come and visit me and me, my wife and child can become British citizens in the future. We enjoy the culture and mentality here, it was hard to leave the family but now it is good."

Kayal's form since signing for Albion has earned him a recall for Israel with team-mate and close friend Tomer Hemed. Wales, Belgium and Bosnia denied them in qualifying for next summer's Euro finals in France. They face an even tougher task when qualifying begins next year for the 2018 World Cup in Russia.

Kayal said: "It's always nice to be in the national team. It's wonderful to be considered one of the top 20 players in your country but this international break we don't have a friendly so I am able to have a holiday with my family.

"We are going to finish first in our (World Cup) group ahead of Spain and Italy! Everyone wants to play against the big players which will be another challenge. That's a long time away and at the moment I am focusing on Brighton."

And the Koran in preparation for another impressive midfield shift.