Asante Kotoko striker Emmanuel Osei Carlos has been demoted to train with the reserves after failing to impress interim coach Michael Osei, following his transfer from Ashanti Gold in June.

The 26-year-old joined as a free agent but has failed to score a goal in any of the league matches played so far and has been told to clean out his locker in the first team's dressing room.

Communication director of Kotoko, Kwaku Ahenkorah, backs the decision by Osei, insisting it's in the best interest of the player since he wasn't guaranteed a starting role before joining.

"Michael Osei is not a bad person but we all want the best for our players. We want to bring Carlos up properly as a player, but he will need to change certain aspects of his attitude.

“Under no circumstance was Carlos assured of a starting role in all games. He wasn’t promised a first team position by anyone. He was inactive for Ashanti Gold before joining us and given him that promise would've been risky.

“We brought him because we have faith in him but he was gradually introduced to games from the bench just to ease pressure off him,” he added.

Kotoko are still in contention for the league title despite sitting three places behind leaders Wa All Stars with four matches remaining.