Carlton Cole and Herita Ilunga both missed glorious opportunities for West Ham in the opening half.

BBC: Hull 1-0 West Ham

But 12 minutes later the Blues were level when King took advantage of a mix-up between Carl Ikeme and Herita Ilunga to score from 12 yards out.

BBC: Sport - Birmingham 2-1 Doncaster

Bridge will add to manager Avram Grant's defensive options after West Ham's only specialist left-back Herita Ilunga suffered a leg injury in the 1-1 draw with Everton on 28 December.

BBC: Wayne Bridge completes West Ham loan move from Man City

Burly journeyman Dele Adebola proved to be a nuisance for defenders Danny Gabbidon and Herita Ilunga, while man-of-the-moment Lewis McGugan and Chris Cohen were beginning to combine well for the visitors on the right.

BBC: West Ham 3-2 Nottingham Forest

Having taken an early lead, Stoke seemed happy to soak up the West Ham punches and they were lucky to get away with it when Herita Ilunga found a way through on the left wing and laid the ball back into a crowded box, somehow missing all his team-mates.

BBC: West Ham 2-1 Stoke