MIDDLESBROUGH striker Martin Braithwaite could be back on Teesside sooner than expected after a major cash row between Denmark players and the Danish FA escalated.

Braithwaite is believed to have been in Copenhagen since flying out at the weekend ahead of Wednesday’s friendly with Slovakia and Nations League opener with Wales next week.

The Boro forward, whose request to leave the Riverside last Friday was not granted because of a lack of progress over a fee or terms with his suitors, was set to be named in the Denmark squad for those two games.

But unsuccessful talks over a new commercial rights deal broke down between the players and the Danish FA, so the FA have threatened to pick a squad of lower league players instead.

Discussions are ongoing in the hope of finding a breakthrough but players in the lower leagues in Denmark have been asked to report their availability so that the fixtures can be fulfilled.

Denmark know that they are obliged to field the strongest possible team against Wales game and they could even face a suspension for failing to so from UEFA.

The Danish FA have since postponed the naming of the squad and they have also decided against having normal head coach Age Hareide in charge, choosing to name a manager from one of the lower league teams too.

Braithwaite has been impressive for Middlesbrough this season and has played a major role in the unbeaten start to the campaign under Tony Pulis.

The former Toulouse player wanted to leave, having enjoyed his loan spell with Bordeaux last season.

Since returning Braithwaite has got on with his job and has shone in his appearances in the Championship, which is why supporters and even Pulis did not want to lose him before the closure on Friday of the Spanish transfer window. Leganes and Girona were both keen.

Braithwaite was left out of the team at Leeds on Friday because he had not been a big part of the preparations given the uncertainty surrounding his position. He was named on the bench and will hope to be involved at Norwich after the international break.

Braithwaite is not the only Middlesbrough player who would have been on international duty.

Britt Assombalonga has joined up with DR Congo for their Africa Cup of Nations qualifier with Liberia on Sunday, while Mo Besic has teamed up with the Bosnia squad that will face Paddy McNair and George Saville’s Northern Ireland on Saturday.

Keeper Darren Randolph is with the Republic of Ireland preparing for next Thursday’s Nations League trip to Wales and next week’s friendly trip to Poland.

And Dael Fry is in the England squad for an Under-21 European Championships qualifier against Holland at Carrow Road on Thursday and a trip to Latvia on Tuesday.

The Middlesbrough players who are not with their countries returned to Rockliffe Park for training on Tuesday after three days off. That was the reward for the unbeaten start to the campaign, which has seen them sit joint top with Leeds in the Championship.

While Saville is away, the other loan deadline day signing trained with the squad for the first time.

Danny Batth, signed from Wolves for the season, was at Rockliffe with Sam McQueen, who joined from Southampton last Thursday.