DAVID MOYES was forced to end his pursuit of Craig Bellamy after the controversial striker joined Cardiff City on loan.

The Everton manager was keen on trying to tempt Bellamy along the M62 when it became clear the player’s future lay away from Manchester City.

Bellamy’s wife and children still reside in Cardiff, however, and the Wales international returned to the Welsh capital at the weekend following a high profile bust-up with City manager Roberto Mancini.

The 31-year-old publicly criticised Mancini, claiming a breakdown in communication meant they had not spoken for six months.

Teenage striker Mario Balotelli’s arrival from Inter had pushed Bellamy further down the pecking order at City, alerting several clubs including Everton to the player’s availability.

City were said to be interested in offloading the former Liverpool striker but did not want to do business with any of their top four Premier League rivals, namely Tottenham who were also monitoring Bellamy.

New Fulham manager Mark Hughes was also in the hunt for the player he had worked with at City and Wales but Moyes was hopeful of enticing Bellamy to remain in the north west.