Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare has hit back after reports that Wolves cancelled training on Monday because of his behaviour.
The 25-year-old says he has upheld the ‘highest training standards’ despite the controversy that has rocked Wolves’ pre-season.
On Monday, Arokodare stood his ground when new manager Cesar Peixoto told him not to train with the first team.
Wolves organised extra security at their training ground, Compton Park, to prevent the 25-year-old from entering on Tuesday.
But Arokodare has posted on Instagram: ‘Throughout my career, I have always taken great pride in conducting myself professionally and maintaining the highest professional standards.
‘My commitment has always been to prepare myself as well as possible so that I can contribute to my team-mates and the club whenever I am called upon.
‘I remain under contract with Wolves, and my only intention is to fulfil my responsibilities professionally by training, doing my job, and contributing to the team in accordance with that contract.’
Wolves striker Tolu Arokodare has hit back after the club cancelled training because he refused to leave the pitch
New manager Cesar Peixoto initially left Arokodare out of the team’s pre-season training camp
On Wednesday evening, he was unable to contribute as Wolves travelled to Maidenhead for a pre-season friendly without him, winning 1-0.
Arokodare, who spent last season with Wolves as they were relegated from the Premier League, faced disciplinary action in April after getting into a physical altercation with team-mate Mateus Mane following their 4-0 thrashing by West Ham.
He did not initially travel with the squad for last week’s warm weather training camp in Portugal, only receiving a late call-up following an injury to fellow forward Adam Armstrong.
Peixoto, who joined from Portuguese club Gil Vicente in June, has insisted he will be a firm hand with his players.
In his first interview, he said: ‘Firstly, I’m a very demanding coach.
‘But, I believe in giving others maximum freedom and maximum responsibility. I want us to work as a team and as a unit and build a good environment. This is important to me, but I know very well what I want from the team. I want my team to be organised with and without the ball.
‘Secondly, I want a team with intensity and to be aggressive and win duels.
‘The third one is I want to show the quality of the players. To play an offensive game and to try and press high. To try and be the main character of the games. I want to win games, but I want to win while playing good football. With passion and energy.
‘[The supporters can expect] a team with ambition. A strong character and identity and a strong idea of the game. A team that never gives up to win three points and to try and make the fans proud.’
Arokodare, who joined from Genk last summer, has been frustrated that his proposed loan move to Torino has not developed while Genoa have also made an enquiry. The Nigerian striker scored three Premier League goals last campaign.
The Daily Mail Sport has contacted Wolves as well as Arokodare’s representatives.
Demoting players from the first-team or forcing them to train in isolation is banned under new rules introduced by FIFA in June.
The striker faced disciplinary action after clashing with team-mate Mateus Mane – but the duo shared supportive posts in an attempt to defuse the situation
Arokodare scored three Premier League goals campaign and could be moving to Serie A
FIFA reached an agreement with FIFPRO, the worldwide players’ union, to better protect players from what is deemed an ‘abusive practice’.
Chelsea’s ‘bomb squad’ and treatment of players such as Raheem Sterling has come under scrutiny in recent seasons.
Clubs could face financial or sporting punishments under the new protections unless there is a genuine sporting reason for the player’s exclusion.
Banishing them from first-team training cannot now be used as a tactic just to force them to find another club.
The Daily Mail Sport has also contacted FIFA and FIFPRO.
