FA Cup final - Arsenal v Hull: Tom Huddlestone admits pulling out of Ledley King's Tottenham testimonial will be worth it if Hull beat Arsenal

Huddlestone agreed with the Tigers that he would not feature in King's tribute match with all being forgiven providing he can help beat the Gunners

Tom Huddlestone's former Tottenham team-mates will be cheering him on in next weekend's FA Cup final after begging him to continue Arsenal's nine-year trophy drought.

Huddlestone swapped Spurs for the KC Stadium in the summer, a move that raised several eyebrows at the time but which appears to have paid off with the Tigers involved in their first ever Wembley final and set to join Tottenham in next year's Europa League.

He remains friendly with a number of former White Hart Lane colleagues and had been due to appear at Ledley King's testimonial until Hull's surge to the final ruled him out of the event.

But the 27-year-old has already been told his absence will be overlooked if he can play his part in upsetting Spurs' North London rivals on May 17.

"The club decided it was best not to be involved in Ledley's match. I respect that, and I have spoken to Ledley who fully understands," said Huddlestone.

"I have had a few texts though. When I said I wasn't able to play in Ledley's testimonial a few people told me as long as we beat Arsenal all would be forgiven.

"That will add a bit for me if we do win it but primarily it's about Hull winning the cup and me having a trophy on the CV."

Huddlestone, who was wanted by several clubs when he was made available for transfer, was impressed at the time by Hull boss Steve Bruce's sales pitch for the Tigers.

But even he admits a cup final and guaranteed European football were not part of the conversation.

"It's all an added bonus," said the midfielder.

"First and foremost was guaranteeing safety as soon as possible. We managed to do that with three or four games to go but nobody in their wildest dreams would have expected this.

"FA Cup finals are the games that stick in my mind from my childhood and to be a part of one is a dream come true. Hopefully, we can go and win it.

"And European football wasn't even mentioned (by Bruce) so it is an added extra that all the players are relishing."

PA