diff --git a/Cargo.lock b/Cargo.lock
index 032886b9945e2..7f49ff75561db 100644
--- a/Cargo.lock
+++ b/Cargo.lock
@@ -8638,6 +8638,7 @@ name = "sc-network-sync"
 version = "0.10.0-dev"
 dependencies = [
  "array-bytes",
+ "async-std",
  "fork-tree",
  "futures",
  "libp2p",
@@ -8653,6 +8654,7 @@ dependencies = [
  "sc-consensus",
  "sc-network-common",
  "sc-peerset",
+ "sc-utils",
  "smallvec",
  "sp-arithmetic",
  "sp-blockchain",
diff --git a/client/network/common/src/sync.rs b/client/network/common/src/sync.rs
index d3603c6792c84..aa761e66ebf68 100644
--- a/client/network/common/src/sync.rs
+++ b/client/network/common/src/sync.rs
@@ -395,4 +395,14 @@ pub trait ChainSync<Block: BlockT>: Send {
 
 	/// Decode implementation-specific state response.
 	fn decode_state_response(&self, response: &[u8]) -> Result<OpaqueStateResponse, String>;
+
+	/// Advance the state of `ChainSync`
+	///
+	/// Internally calls [`ChainSync::poll_block_announce_validation()`] and
+	/// this function should be polled until it returns [`Poll::Pending`] to
+	/// consume all pending events.
+	fn poll(
+		&mut self,
+		cx: &mut std::task::Context,
+	) -> Poll<PollBlockAnnounceValidation<Block::Header>>;
 }
diff --git a/client/network/src/config.rs b/client/network/src/config.rs
index db3e8f0b98a33..dcd7c7d8ad6de 100644
--- a/client/network/src/config.rs
+++ b/client/network/src/config.rs
@@ -33,6 +33,7 @@ pub use sc_network_common::{
 
 pub use libp2p::{build_multiaddr, core::PublicKey, identity};
 
+use crate::ChainSyncInterface;
 use core::{fmt, iter};
 use libp2p::{
 	identity::{ed25519, Keypair},
@@ -91,6 +92,9 @@ where
 	/// Instance of chain sync implementation.
 	pub chain_sync: Box<dyn ChainSync<B>>,
 
+	/// Interface that can be used to delegate syncing-related function calls to `ChainSync`
+	pub chain_sync_service: Box<dyn ChainSyncInterface<B>>,
+
 	/// Registry for recording prometheus metrics to.
 	pub metrics_registry: Option<Registry>,
 
diff --git a/client/network/src/lib.rs b/client/network/src/lib.rs
index 27f2a938154fe..f3faa44ee6dbd 100644
--- a/client/network/src/lib.rs
+++ b/client/network/src/lib.rs
@@ -279,6 +279,7 @@ pub use service::{
 	DecodingError, Keypair, NetworkService, NetworkWorker, NotificationSender,
 	NotificationSenderReady, OutboundFailure, PublicKey,
 };
+use sp_runtime::traits::{Block as BlockT, NumberFor};
 
 pub use sc_peerset::ReputationChange;
 
@@ -293,3 +294,14 @@ const MAX_CONNECTIONS_PER_PEER: usize = 2;
 
 /// The maximum number of concurrent established connections that were incoming.
 const MAX_CONNECTIONS_ESTABLISHED_INCOMING: u32 = 10_000;
+
+/// Abstraction over syncing-related services
+pub trait ChainSyncInterface<B: BlockT>:
+	NetworkSyncForkRequest<B::Hash, NumberFor<B>> + Send + Sync
+{
+}
+
+impl<T, B: BlockT> ChainSyncInterface<B> for T where
+	T: NetworkSyncForkRequest<B::Hash, NumberFor<B>> + Send + Sync
+{
+}
diff --git a/client/network/src/protocol.rs b/client/network/src/protocol.rs
index c3def8adc6cfe..a04dba79f7fd2 100644
--- a/client/network/src/protocol.rs
+++ b/client/network/src/protocol.rs
@@ -947,18 +947,6 @@ where
 		self.chain_sync.clear_justification_requests();
 	}
 
-	/// Request syncing for the given block from given set of peers.
-	/// Uses `protocol` to queue a new block download request and tries to dispatch all pending
-	/// requests.
-	pub fn set_sync_fork_request(
-		&mut self,
-		peers: Vec<PeerId>,
-		hash: &B::Hash,
-		number: NumberFor<B>,
-	) {
-		self.chain_sync.set_sync_fork_request(peers, hash, number)
-	}
-
 	/// A batch of blocks have been processed, with or without errors.
 	/// Call this when a batch of blocks have been processed by the importqueue, with or without
 	/// errors.
@@ -1461,8 +1449,11 @@ where
 			self.pending_messages.push_back(event);
 		}
 
-		// Check if there is any block announcement validation finished.
-		while let Poll::Ready(result) = self.chain_sync.poll_block_announce_validation(cx) {
+		// Advance the state of `ChainSync`
+		//
+		// Process any received requests received from `NetworkService` and
+		// check if there is any block announcement validation finished.
+		while let Poll::Ready(result) = self.chain_sync.poll(cx) {
 			match self.process_block_announce_validation_result(result) {
 				CustomMessageOutcome::None => {},
 				outcome => self.pending_messages.push_back(outcome),
diff --git a/client/network/src/service.rs b/client/network/src/service.rs
index 25916041285a3..d1f428cc292c3 100644
--- a/client/network/src/service.rs
+++ b/client/network/src/service.rs
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ use crate::{
 		NetworkState, NotConnectedPeer as NetworkStateNotConnectedPeer, Peer as NetworkStatePeer,
 	},
 	protocol::{self, NotificationsSink, NotifsHandlerError, PeerInfo, Protocol, Ready},
-	transport, ReputationChange,
+	transport, ChainSyncInterface, ReputationChange,
 };
 
 use futures::{channel::oneshot, prelude::*};
@@ -121,6 +121,8 @@ pub struct NetworkService<B: BlockT + 'static, H: ExHashT> {
 	peerset: PeersetHandle,
 	/// Channel that sends messages to the actual worker.
 	to_worker: TracingUnboundedSender<ServiceToWorkerMsg<B>>,
+	/// Interface that can be used to delegate calls to `ChainSync`
+	chain_sync_service: Box<dyn ChainSyncInterface<B>>,
 	/// For each peer and protocol combination, an object that allows sending notifications to
 	/// that peer. Updated by the [`NetworkWorker`].
 	peers_notifications_sinks: Arc<Mutex<HashMap<(PeerId, ProtocolName), NotificationsSink>>>,
@@ -433,6 +435,7 @@ where
 			local_peer_id,
 			local_identity,
 			to_worker,
+			chain_sync_service: params.chain_sync_service,
 			peers_notifications_sinks: peers_notifications_sinks.clone(),
 			notifications_sizes_metric: metrics
 				.as_ref()
@@ -814,7 +817,7 @@ where
 	/// a stale fork missing.
 	/// Passing empty `peers` set effectively removes the sync request.
 	fn set_sync_fork_request(&self, peers: Vec<PeerId>, hash: B::Hash, number: NumberFor<B>) {
-		let _ = self.to_worker.unbounded_send(ServiceToWorkerMsg::SyncFork(peers, hash, number));
+		self.chain_sync_service.set_sync_fork_request(peers, hash, number);
 	}
 }
 
@@ -1219,7 +1222,6 @@ enum ServiceToWorkerMsg<B: BlockT> {
 	RemoveSetReserved(ProtocolName, PeerId),
 	AddToPeersSet(ProtocolName, PeerId),
 	RemoveFromPeersSet(ProtocolName, PeerId),
-	SyncFork(Vec<PeerId>, B::Hash, NumberFor<B>),
 	EventStream(out_events::Sender),
 	Request {
 		target: PeerId,
@@ -1380,11 +1382,6 @@ where
 					.behaviour_mut()
 					.user_protocol_mut()
 					.remove_from_peers_set(protocol, peer_id),
-				ServiceToWorkerMsg::SyncFork(peer_ids, hash, number) => this
-					.network_service
-					.behaviour_mut()
-					.user_protocol_mut()
-					.set_sync_fork_request(peer_ids, &hash, number),
 				ServiceToWorkerMsg::EventStream(sender) => this.event_streams.push(sender),
 				ServiceToWorkerMsg::Request {
 					target,
diff --git a/client/network/src/service/chainsync_tests.rs b/client/network/src/service/chainsync_tests.rs
index ca44c65d267f4..27c0588a67200 100644
--- a/client/network/src/service/chainsync_tests.rs
+++ b/client/network/src/service/chainsync_tests.rs
@@ -16,7 +16,7 @@
 // You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
 // along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
 
-use crate::{config, NetworkWorker};
+use crate::{config, ChainSyncInterface, NetworkWorker};
 
 use futures::prelude::*;
 use libp2p::PeerId;
@@ -35,7 +35,7 @@ use sc_network_common::{
 use sc_network_light::light_client_requests::handler::LightClientRequestHandler;
 use sc_network_sync::{
 	block_request_handler::BlockRequestHandler, mock::MockChainSync,
-	state_request_handler::StateRequestHandler,
+	service::mock::MockChainSyncInterface, state_request_handler::StateRequestHandler,
 };
 use sp_core::H256;
 use sp_runtime::{
@@ -56,6 +56,7 @@ const PROTOCOL_NAME: &str = "/foo";
 
 fn make_network(
 	chain_sync: Box<dyn ChainSyncT<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>>,
+	chain_sync_service: Box<dyn ChainSyncInterface<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>>,
 	client: Arc<substrate_test_runtime_client::TestClient>,
 ) -> (TestNetworkWorker, Arc<substrate_test_runtime_client::TestClient>) {
 	let network_config = config::NetworkConfiguration {
@@ -174,6 +175,7 @@ fn make_network(
 		fork_id,
 		import_queue,
 		chain_sync,
+		chain_sync_service,
 		metrics_registry: None,
 		block_request_protocol_config,
 		state_request_protocol_config,
@@ -193,7 +195,7 @@ fn set_default_expecations_no_peers(
 	chain_sync.expect_state_request().returning(|| None);
 	chain_sync.expect_justification_requests().returning(|| Box::new(iter::empty()));
 	chain_sync.expect_warp_sync_request().returning(|| None);
-	chain_sync.expect_poll_block_announce_validation().returning(|_| Poll::Pending);
+	chain_sync.expect_poll().returning(|_| Poll::Pending);
 	chain_sync.expect_status().returning(|| SyncStatus {
 		state: SyncState::Idle,
 		best_seen_block: None,
@@ -207,11 +209,18 @@ fn set_default_expecations_no_peers(
 #[async_std::test]
 async fn normal_network_poll_no_peers() {
 	let client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::with_default_backend().build_with_longest_chain().0);
+
+	// build `ChainSync` and set default expectations for it
 	let mut chain_sync =
 		Box::new(MockChainSync::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new());
 	set_default_expecations_no_peers(&mut chain_sync);
 
-	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, client);
+	// build `ChainSyncInterface` provider and set no expecations for it (i.e., it cannot be
+	// called)
+	let chain_sync_service =
+		Box::new(MockChainSyncInterface::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new());
+
+	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, chain_sync_service, client);
 
 	// poll the network once
 	futures::future::poll_fn(|cx| {
@@ -224,6 +233,13 @@ async fn normal_network_poll_no_peers() {
 #[async_std::test]
 async fn request_justification() {
 	let client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::with_default_backend().build_with_longest_chain().0);
+
+	// build `ChainSyncInterface` provider and set no expecations for it (i.e., it cannot be
+	// called)
+	let chain_sync_service =
+		Box::new(MockChainSyncInterface::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new());
+
+	// build `ChainSync` and verify that call to `request_justification()` is made
 	let mut chain_sync =
 		Box::new(MockChainSync::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new());
 
@@ -237,7 +253,7 @@ async fn request_justification() {
 		.returning(|_, _| ());
 
 	set_default_expecations_no_peers(&mut chain_sync);
-	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, client);
+	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, chain_sync_service, client);
 
 	// send "request justifiction" message and poll the network
 	network.service().request_justification(&hash, number);
@@ -252,13 +268,20 @@ async fn request_justification() {
 #[async_std::test]
 async fn clear_justification_requests(&mut self) {
 	let client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::with_default_backend().build_with_longest_chain().0);
+
+	// build `ChainSyncInterface` provider and set no expecations for it (i.e., it cannot be
+	// called)
+	let chain_sync_service =
+		Box::new(MockChainSyncInterface::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new());
+
+	// build `ChainSync` and verify that call to `clear_justification_requests()` is made
 	let mut chain_sync =
 		Box::new(MockChainSync::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new());
 
 	chain_sync.expect_clear_justification_requests().once().returning(|| ());
 
 	set_default_expecations_no_peers(&mut chain_sync);
-	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, client);
+	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, chain_sync_service, client);
 
 	// send "request justifiction" message and poll the network
 	network.service().clear_justification_requests();
@@ -273,15 +296,23 @@ async fn clear_justification_requests(&mut self) {
 #[async_std::test]
 async fn set_sync_fork_request() {
 	let client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::with_default_backend().build_with_longest_chain().0);
+
+	// build `ChainSync` and set default expectations for it
 	let mut chain_sync =
 		Box::new(MockChainSync::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new());
+	set_default_expecations_no_peers(&mut chain_sync);
+
+	// build `ChainSyncInterface` provider and verify that the `set_sync_fork_request()`
+	// call is delegated to `ChainSyncInterface` (which eventually forwards it to `ChainSync`)
+	let mut chain_sync_service =
+		MockChainSyncInterface::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new();
 
 	let hash = H256::random();
 	let number = 1337u64;
 	let peers = (0..3).map(|_| PeerId::random()).collect::<Vec<_>>();
 	let copy_peers = peers.clone();
 
-	chain_sync
+	chain_sync_service
 		.expect_set_sync_fork_request()
 		.withf(move |in_peers, in_hash, in_number| {
 			&peers == in_peers && &hash == in_hash && &number == in_number
@@ -289,8 +320,7 @@ async fn set_sync_fork_request() {
 		.once()
 		.returning(|_, _, _| ());
 
-	set_default_expecations_no_peers(&mut chain_sync);
-	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, client);
+	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, Box::new(chain_sync_service), client);
 
 	// send "set sync fork request" message and poll the network
 	network.service().set_sync_fork_request(copy_peers, hash, number);
@@ -305,6 +335,12 @@ async fn set_sync_fork_request() {
 #[async_std::test]
 async fn on_block_finalized() {
 	let client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::with_default_backend().build_with_longest_chain().0);
+	// build `ChainSyncInterface` provider and set no expecations for it (i.e., it cannot be
+	// called)
+	let chain_sync_service =
+		Box::new(MockChainSyncInterface::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new());
+
+	// build `ChainSync` and verify that call to `on_block_finalized()` is made
 	let mut chain_sync =
 		Box::new(MockChainSync::<substrate_test_runtime_client::runtime::Block>::new());
 
@@ -326,7 +362,7 @@ async fn on_block_finalized() {
 		.returning(|_, _| ());
 
 	set_default_expecations_no_peers(&mut chain_sync);
-	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, client);
+	let (mut network, _) = make_network(chain_sync, chain_sync_service, client);
 
 	// send "set sync fork request" message and poll the network
 	network.on_block_finalized(hash, header);
diff --git a/client/network/src/service/tests.rs b/client/network/src/service/tests.rs
index b656d7a7c0ddc..4a0ef4611da6e 100644
--- a/client/network/src/service/tests.rs
+++ b/client/network/src/service/tests.rs
@@ -124,7 +124,7 @@ fn build_test_full_node(
 		protocol_config
 	};
 
-	let chain_sync = ChainSync::new(
+	let (chain_sync, chain_sync_service) = ChainSync::new(
 		match network_config.sync_mode {
 			config::SyncMode::Full => sc_network_common::sync::SyncMode::Full,
 			config::SyncMode::Fast { skip_proofs, storage_chain_mode } =>
@@ -172,6 +172,7 @@ fn build_test_full_node(
 		fork_id,
 		import_queue,
 		chain_sync: Box::new(chain_sync),
+		chain_sync_service,
 		metrics_registry: None,
 		block_request_protocol_config,
 		state_request_protocol_config,
diff --git a/client/network/sync/Cargo.toml b/client/network/sync/Cargo.toml
index 9d032f5cca96c..323b70e9c22a4 100644
--- a/client/network/sync/Cargo.toml
+++ b/client/network/sync/Cargo.toml
@@ -34,6 +34,7 @@ sc-client-api = { version = "4.0.0-dev", path = "../../api" }
 sc-consensus = { version = "0.10.0-dev", path = "../../consensus/common" }
 sc-network-common = { version = "0.10.0-dev", path = "../common" }
 sc-peerset = { version = "4.0.0-dev", path = "../../peerset" }
+sc-utils = { version = "4.0.0-dev", path = "../../utils" }
 sp-arithmetic = { version = "5.0.0", path = "../../../primitives/arithmetic" }
 sp-blockchain = { version = "4.0.0-dev", path = "../../../primitives/blockchain" }
 sp-consensus = { version = "0.10.0-dev", path = "../../../primitives/consensus/common" }
@@ -42,6 +43,7 @@ sp-finality-grandpa = { version = "4.0.0-dev", path = "../../../primitives/final
 sp-runtime = { version = "6.0.0", path = "../../../primitives/runtime" }
 
 [dev-dependencies]
+async-std = { version = "1.11.0", features = ["attributes"] }
 quickcheck = { version = "1.0.3", default-features = false }
 sc-block-builder = { version = "0.10.0-dev", path = "../../block-builder" }
 sp-test-primitives = { version = "2.0.0", path = "../../../primitives/test-primitives" }
diff --git a/client/network/sync/src/lib.rs b/client/network/sync/src/lib.rs
index 84998c747b3cc..64d9d4d668eb3 100644
--- a/client/network/sync/src/lib.rs
+++ b/client/network/sync/src/lib.rs
@@ -32,14 +32,18 @@ pub mod block_request_handler;
 pub mod blocks;
 pub mod mock;
 mod schema;
+pub mod service;
 pub mod state;
 pub mod state_request_handler;
+#[cfg(test)]
+mod tests;
 pub mod warp;
 pub mod warp_request_handler;
 
 use crate::{
 	blocks::BlockCollection,
 	schema::v1::{StateRequest, StateResponse},
+	service::chain_sync::{ChainSyncInterfaceHandle, ToServiceCommand},
 	state::StateSync,
 	warp::{WarpProofImportResult, WarpSync},
 };
@@ -67,6 +71,7 @@ use sc_network_common::{
 		PollBlockAnnounceValidation, SyncMode, SyncState, SyncStatus,
 	},
 };
+use sc_utils::mpsc::{tracing_unbounded, TracingUnboundedReceiver};
 use sp_arithmetic::traits::Saturating;
 use sp_blockchain::{Error as ClientError, HeaderBackend, HeaderMetadata};
 use sp_consensus::{
@@ -264,6 +269,8 @@ pub struct ChainSync<B: BlockT, Client> {
 	import_existing: bool,
 	/// Gap download process.
 	gap_sync: Option<GapSync<B>>,
+	/// Channel for receiving service commands
+	service_rx: TracingUnboundedReceiver<ToServiceCommand<B>>,
 }
 
 /// All the data we have about a Peer that we are trying to sync with
@@ -1725,6 +1732,21 @@ where
 
 		Ok(OpaqueStateResponse(Box::new(response)))
 	}
+
+	fn poll(
+		&mut self,
+		cx: &mut std::task::Context,
+	) -> Poll<PollBlockAnnounceValidation<B::Header>> {
+		while let Poll::Ready(Some(event)) = self.service_rx.poll_next_unpin(cx) {
+			match event {
+				ToServiceCommand::SetSyncForkRequest(peers, hash, number) => {
+					self.set_sync_fork_request(peers, &hash, number);
+				},
+			}
+		}
+
+		self.poll_block_announce_validation(cx)
+	}
 }
 
 impl<B, Client> ChainSync<B, Client>
@@ -1746,7 +1768,9 @@ where
 		block_announce_validator: Box<dyn BlockAnnounceValidator<B> + Send>,
 		max_parallel_downloads: u32,
 		warp_sync_provider: Option<Arc<dyn WarpSyncProvider<B>>>,
-	) -> Result<Self, ClientError> {
+	) -> Result<(Self, Box<ChainSyncInterfaceHandle<B>>), ClientError> {
+		let (tx, service_rx) = tracing_unbounded("mpsc_chain_sync");
+
 		let mut sync = Self {
 			client,
 			peers: HashMap::new(),
@@ -1768,9 +1792,10 @@ where
 			warp_sync_provider,
 			import_existing: false,
 			gap_sync: None,
+			service_rx,
 		};
 		sync.reset_sync_start_point()?;
-		Ok(sync)
+		Ok((sync, Box::new(ChainSyncInterfaceHandle::new(tx))))
 	}
 
 	/// Returns the best seen block number if we don't have that block yet, `None` otherwise.
@@ -2664,7 +2689,7 @@ mod test {
 		let block_announce_validator = Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator);
 		let peer_id = PeerId::random();
 
-		let mut sync =
+		let (mut sync, _) =
 			ChainSync::new(SyncMode::Full, client.clone(), block_announce_validator, 1, None)
 				.unwrap();
 
@@ -2712,7 +2737,7 @@ mod test {
 	#[test]
 	fn restart_doesnt_affect_peers_downloading_finality_data() {
 		let mut client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::new().build());
-		let mut sync = ChainSync::new(
+		let (mut sync, _) = ChainSync::new(
 			SyncMode::Full,
 			client.clone(),
 			Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator),
@@ -2879,7 +2904,7 @@ mod test {
 
 		let mut client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::new().build());
 
-		let mut sync = ChainSync::new(
+		let (mut sync, _) = ChainSync::new(
 			SyncMode::Full,
 			client.clone(),
 			Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator),
@@ -2994,7 +3019,7 @@ mod test {
 		let mut client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::new().build());
 		let info = client.info();
 
-		let mut sync = ChainSync::new(
+		let (mut sync, _) = ChainSync::new(
 			SyncMode::Full,
 			client.clone(),
 			Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator),
@@ -3137,7 +3162,7 @@ mod test {
 
 		let info = client.info();
 
-		let mut sync = ChainSync::new(
+		let (mut sync, _) = ChainSync::new(
 			SyncMode::Full,
 			client.clone(),
 			Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator),
@@ -3268,7 +3293,7 @@ mod test {
 
 		let info = client.info();
 
-		let mut sync = ChainSync::new(
+		let (mut sync, _) = ChainSync::new(
 			SyncMode::Full,
 			client.clone(),
 			Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator),
@@ -3399,7 +3424,7 @@ mod test {
 		let mut client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::new().build());
 		let blocks = (0..3).map(|_| build_block(&mut client, None, false)).collect::<Vec<_>>();
 
-		let mut sync = ChainSync::new(
+		let (mut sync, _) = ChainSync::new(
 			SyncMode::Full,
 			client.clone(),
 			Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator),
@@ -3432,7 +3457,7 @@ mod test {
 
 		let empty_client = Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::new().build());
 
-		let mut sync = ChainSync::new(
+		let (mut sync, _) = ChainSync::new(
 			SyncMode::Full,
 			empty_client.clone(),
 			Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator),
diff --git a/client/network/sync/src/mock.rs b/client/network/sync/src/mock.rs
index 2a3b059f735b2..fbb54bd5e998d 100644
--- a/client/network/sync/src/mock.rs
+++ b/client/network/sync/src/mock.rs
@@ -114,5 +114,9 @@ mockall::mock! {
 		) -> Result<Vec<BlockData<Block>>, String>;
 		fn encode_state_request(&self, request: &OpaqueStateRequest) -> Result<Vec<u8>, String>;
 		fn decode_state_response(&self, response: &[u8]) -> Result<OpaqueStateResponse, String>;
+		fn poll<'a>(
+			&mut self,
+			cx: &mut std::task::Context<'a>,
+		) -> Poll<PollBlockAnnounceValidation<Block::Header>>;
 	}
 }
diff --git a/client/network/sync/src/service/chain_sync.rs b/client/network/sync/src/service/chain_sync.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..cf07c65ee3109
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/network/sync/src/service/chain_sync.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,58 @@
+// This file is part of Substrate.
+
+// Copyright (C) 2022 Parity Technologies (UK) Ltd.
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
+
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+use libp2p::PeerId;
+use sc_network_common::service::NetworkSyncForkRequest;
+use sc_utils::mpsc::TracingUnboundedSender;
+use sp_runtime::traits::{Block as BlockT, NumberFor};
+
+/// Commands send to `ChainSync`
+#[derive(Debug)]
+pub enum ToServiceCommand<B: BlockT> {
+	SetSyncForkRequest(Vec<PeerId>, B::Hash, NumberFor<B>),
+}
+
+/// Handle for communicating with `ChainSync` asynchronously
+pub struct ChainSyncInterfaceHandle<B: BlockT> {
+	tx: TracingUnboundedSender<ToServiceCommand<B>>,
+}
+
+impl<B: BlockT> ChainSyncInterfaceHandle<B> {
+	/// Create new handle
+	pub fn new(tx: TracingUnboundedSender<ToServiceCommand<B>>) -> Self {
+		Self { tx }
+	}
+}
+
+impl<B: BlockT + 'static> NetworkSyncForkRequest<B::Hash, NumberFor<B>>
+	for ChainSyncInterfaceHandle<B>
+{
+	/// Configure an explicit fork sync request.
+	///
+	/// Note that this function should not be used for recent blocks.
+	/// Sync should be able to download all the recent forks normally.
+	/// `set_sync_fork_request` should only be used if external code detects that there's
+	/// a stale fork missing.
+	///
+	/// Passing empty `peers` set effectively removes the sync request.
+	fn set_sync_fork_request(&self, peers: Vec<PeerId>, hash: B::Hash, number: NumberFor<B>) {
+		let _ = self
+			.tx
+			.unbounded_send(ToServiceCommand::SetSyncForkRequest(peers, hash, number));
+	}
+}
diff --git a/client/network/sync/src/service/mock.rs b/client/network/sync/src/service/mock.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..e283907b392d1
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/network/sync/src/service/mock.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,31 @@
+// This file is part of Substrate.
+
+// Copyright (C) 2022 Parity Technologies (UK) Ltd.
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
+
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+use libp2p::PeerId;
+use sc_network_common::service::NetworkSyncForkRequest;
+use sp_runtime::traits::{Block as BlockT, NumberFor};
+
+mockall::mock! {
+	pub ChainSyncInterface<B: BlockT> {}
+
+	impl<B: BlockT + 'static> NetworkSyncForkRequest<B::Hash, NumberFor<B>>
+		for ChainSyncInterface<B>
+	{
+		fn set_sync_fork_request(&self, peers: Vec<PeerId>, hash: B::Hash, number: NumberFor<B>);
+	}
+}
diff --git a/client/network/sync/src/service/mod.rs b/client/network/sync/src/service/mod.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..d64d9bbd1b01f
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/network/sync/src/service/mod.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,22 @@
+// This file is part of Substrate.
+
+// Copyright (C) 2022 Parity Technologies (UK) Ltd.
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
+
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+//! `ChainSync`-related service code
+
+pub mod chain_sync;
+pub mod mock;
diff --git a/client/network/sync/src/tests.rs b/client/network/sync/src/tests.rs
new file mode 100644
index 0000000000000..47483c4ac440d
--- /dev/null
+++ b/client/network/sync/src/tests.rs
@@ -0,0 +1,59 @@
+// This file is part of Substrate.
+
+// Copyright (C) 2017-2022 Parity Technologies (UK) Ltd.
+// SPDX-License-Identifier: GPL-3.0-or-later WITH Classpath-exception-2.0
+
+// This program is free software: you can redistribute it and/or modify
+// it under the terms of the GNU General Public License as published by
+// the Free Software Foundation, either version 3 of the License, or
+// (at your option) any later version.
+
+// This program is distributed in the hope that it will be useful,
+// but WITHOUT ANY WARRANTY; without even the implied warranty of
+// MERCHANTABILITY or FITNESS FOR A PARTICULAR PURPOSE. See the
+// GNU General Public License for more details.
+
+// You should have received a copy of the GNU General Public License
+// along with this program. If not, see <https://www.gnu.org/licenses/>.
+
+use crate::{ChainSync, ForkTarget};
+
+use libp2p::PeerId;
+use sc_network_common::{service::NetworkSyncForkRequest, sync::ChainSync as ChainSyncT};
+use sp_consensus::block_validation::DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator;
+use sp_core::H256;
+use std::{sync::Arc, task::Poll};
+use substrate_test_runtime_client::{TestClientBuilder, TestClientBuilderExt as _};
+
+// verify that the fork target map is empty, then submit a new sync fork request,
+// poll `ChainSync` and verify that a new sync fork request has been registered
+#[async_std::test]
+async fn delegate_to_chainsync() {
+	let (mut chain_sync, chain_sync_service) = ChainSync::new(
+		sc_network_common::sync::SyncMode::Full,
+		Arc::new(TestClientBuilder::with_default_backend().build_with_longest_chain().0),
+		Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator),
+		1u32,
+		None,
+	)
+	.unwrap();
+
+	let hash = H256::random();
+	let in_number = 1337u64;
+	let peers = (0..3).map(|_| PeerId::random()).collect::<Vec<_>>();
+
+	assert!(chain_sync.fork_targets.is_empty());
+	chain_sync_service.set_sync_fork_request(peers, hash, in_number);
+
+	futures::future::poll_fn(|cx| {
+		let _ = chain_sync.poll(cx);
+		Poll::Ready(())
+	})
+	.await;
+
+	if let Some(ForkTarget { number, .. }) = chain_sync.fork_targets.get(&hash) {
+		assert_eq!(number, &in_number);
+	} else {
+		panic!("expected to contain `ForkTarget`");
+	}
+}
diff --git a/client/network/test/src/lib.rs b/client/network/test/src/lib.rs
index a7c58631dc0f7..d4bee77b54aff 100644
--- a/client/network/test/src/lib.rs
+++ b/client/network/test/src/lib.rs
@@ -864,7 +864,7 @@ where
 		let block_announce_validator = config
 			.block_announce_validator
 			.unwrap_or_else(|| Box::new(DefaultBlockAnnounceValidator));
-		let chain_sync = ChainSync::new(
+		let (chain_sync, chain_sync_service) = ChainSync::new(
 			match network_config.sync_mode {
 				SyncMode::Full => sc_network_common::sync::SyncMode::Full,
 				SyncMode::Fast { skip_proofs, storage_chain_mode } =>
@@ -902,6 +902,7 @@ where
 			fork_id,
 			import_queue,
 			chain_sync: Box::new(chain_sync),
+			chain_sync_service,
 			metrics_registry: None,
 			block_announce_config,
 			block_request_protocol_config,
diff --git a/client/service/src/builder.rs b/client/service/src/builder.rs
index 987198d4b7f48..1a16268839054 100644
--- a/client/service/src/builder.rs
+++ b/client/service/src/builder.rs
@@ -844,7 +844,7 @@ where
 		protocol_config
 	};
 
-	let chain_sync = ChainSync::new(
+	let (chain_sync, chain_sync_service) = ChainSync::new(
 		match config.network.sync_mode {
 			SyncMode::Full => sc_network_common::sync::SyncMode::Full,
 			SyncMode::Fast { skip_proofs, storage_chain_mode } =>
@@ -889,6 +889,7 @@ where
 		fork_id: config.chain_spec.fork_id().map(ToOwned::to_owned),
 		import_queue: Box::new(import_queue),
 		chain_sync: Box::new(chain_sync),
+		chain_sync_service,
 		metrics_registry: config.prometheus_config.as_ref().map(|config| config.registry.clone()),
 		block_announce_config,
 		block_request_protocol_config,