Neil Warnock accused Liverpool of lacking class over Cardiff City's loan pursuit of Nathaniel Clyne, launching an attack on both the club and the player in the wake of the Bluebirds' FA Cup defeat by Gillingham.

Cardiff believed they had sealed a deal for right-back Clyne on loan until the end of the season, but were gazumped by Bournemouth, who confirmed they had signed the player on Friday.

It came as a blow for the Bluebirds, who had viewed the former Crystal Palace and Southampton star (who was given his professional debut by Warnock) as a key target.

Warnock said the situation had knocked his transfer plans, but confirmed the Bluebirds were close to securing their first January addition.

Asked about Cardiff's hunt for new recruits after the 1-0 upset at Gillingham, he said: "We've almost agreed terms for one particularly player, but I was disappointed with Nathaniel Clyne.

"Having known the player and given him his debut, I'm disappointed not just with the boy himself but with Liverpool as well for not ringing me.

"To see it on television when I've done everything right and they've promised that he's my player this week, it's a disgrace for me, it's a lack of class isn't it?

"But listen, we're not going to get any favours, whether it's on the pitch or off it and we're always up against it and that's when we're good.

"I probably should have been illegally tapping him him, but I've done everything right and then Bournemouth come in and I suppose Bournemouth paying £19million for (Dominic) Solanke probably whetted their appetite a little bit."

Warnock may now use his one remaining Premier League loan on the striker that the Bluebirds need.

"It opens the door for that. We're looking at all sorts of options," he said on the failure to land Clyne.

"I think a lot of teams want the strikers they've got to go permanently and if they're not the right one for us, do we spend money on a permanent striker for the sake of four months?

"We haven't got the answer yet. We're close to one player and then we'll see.

"The reason I'm disappointed with Nathaniel and Liverpool is that I've out on three players because of that by waiting.

"I lost out on a couple of full backs and a striker, so I'm doubly disappointed."

The Cardiff boss also revealed Kadeem Harris and Danny Ward were having scans picked up in the 1-0 reverse to Gillingham, while he reflected on a deflating FA Cup exit to the League One side.

(Image: Getty Images)

"I know we made a lot of changes, but I thought we played well. I've got no complaints about the attitude," he said on the shock defeat.

"You need a bit of luck in the cup and we had so many chances, but it looked like nobody wanted to score. I've never seen so many chances.

"The rub of the green hasn't gone with us today, but good luck to them (Gillingham) I hope they get a good draw.

"The FA Cup is all about taking your opportunites. I'm hoping we saw them for the league games."