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Alexander Isak has been training away from his Newcastle United team-mates amid transfer interest from Liverpool(Image: George Wood/Getty Images)

Former Manchester City and Chelsea star Shaun Wright-Phillips has criticised Alexander Isak for the lack of respect shown to his Newcastle United team-mates whilst his transfer saga continues.

The Sweden international Isak has made his eagerness to depart St James' Park publicly known amid strong interest from Liverpool.

However, the Magpies' valuation remains considerably higher than what the Premier League champions appear prepared to offer having seen an initial bid turned down last week.

Wright-Phillips, who earned 36 caps for England, believes Isak has approached forcing through a move to Liverpool in a manner that could easily be seen as disrespectful to his current team-mates.

READ MORE:Darwin Nunez transfer latest as Liverpool striker holds talks over Anfield exitREAD MORE:Marc Guehi 'preferred' transfer clear as Newcastle braced for new Liverpool blow

"I think he's handled it very badly because everyone knows you want out but you should go and train," Wright-Phillips told AceOdds.com.

"You're not affecting the club, you're affecting the players you've been to war with for the last three seasons.

Have a little bit of respect for your team-mates, turn up to train and then go home."

Isak has been absent from Newcastle's pre-season preparations, with the club stating a thigh problem, though he has also travelled to former club Real Sociedad's training facilities for a personal training camp, reports the Mirror.

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Wright-Phillips suggested such a move shows Isak is receiving poor guidance.

I feel like he should have just showed up," he added.

"Everyone's been in a position in football where they don't want to be somewhere but there's only some who don't show up for training.

"He's obviously been advised to do that because the person I've seen talk and be around in Newcastle doesn't seem like that's in his character.

"And we're seeing little bits of Isak now, the way he's handling this by not turning up to training, cause I've seen it as it's everywhere."

Nevertheless, Wright-Phillips also believes Newcastle must shoulder some responsibility for the shambles.

The North East outfit are locked in a battle with Manchester United for Benjamin Sesko and the 43-year-old says that demonstrates a shortage of forward planning.

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"They're putting themselves in a position where the season's coming and Isak might go or not go," Wright-Phillips said.

"If he doesn't go, they have in many ways, an unhappy striker there and I've seen some stuff that fans have written for him, and those fans are not happy with him.

He doesn't want to be there.

"If Newcastle sign somebody, he has two weeks to get used to the way Newcastle play and get himself settled before the season starts.
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