DROPPING down a division should not detrimentally affect Martin Braithwaite’s chances of playing at the World Cup next summer, should his country qualify, as long as he is in good form for his new club Middlesbrough.

That’s the striker’s firm belief, having left Toulouse in France’s top tier to play in the Championship.

Boro start their season today at Wolves, the first of a 46-match campaign at the end of which they hope to have achieved promotion back to the Premier League, while Braithwaite could then have a World Cup in Russia to look forward to.

Denmark are third in their qualification group, behind leaders Poland and Montenegro, six points off the top with four fixtures to play.

Group leaders are guaranteed qualification, while the eight best group runners-up advance to a play-off, giving the Danes room for optimism.

“You just need to perform,” said Braithwaite, when asked if moving to England would affect his international chances.

“If you are in a Premier League squad and you are performing badly why should you be taken (to the World Cup)? “If you are in the Championship and performing great it shouldn’t make a difference.”

Denmark did not reach the last World Cup finals in 2014 in Brazil, South Africa’s 2010 event being their most recent appearance.

The striker added: “I don’t remember the last one we were in, it doesn’t matter, I want to be in the next one.

“We are sharing second place with Montenegro, Poland are in first place and we play them next, so we still believe we can get to the World Cup.

“Of course it is an ambition to play in the World Cup, it is an ambition for everyone, it is a no-brainer.”

Braithwaite has been capped 16 times since making his debut in 2013, just before signing for Toulouse having made his name with hometown team Esbjerg.

He says that his father being from Guyana, a British colony, explains his unlikely Scandinavian name, one that was on the scoresheet as a Middlesbrough player for the first time seven days ago in the team’s final pre-season friendly, 2-1 win over Augsburg, at the Riverside, during a run-out that offered a good first impression for his new fans on Teesside.

Followers of Toulouse were already familiar with his talents, as well as a benevolent side to their captain’s nature after fulfilling a pledge that endeared him to supporters.

The 26-year-old made an inspirational move by donating 1,000 euros to charity every time he scored, and it is something he did not rule out continuing now that he has moved to Middlesbrough.

He explained his magnanimous move, saying: “There’s so much bad stuff in the world going on.

“For me, I feel it is always nice to give back to society a little bit – I am in a good position, I have a good life and like giving back to people who need help.

“There are people suffering in the world and it is easy to forget those people.

“I was just trying to take some of the attention from football and give it to those people who need it.

“It was to different charities. I had a lot of people writing to the club, so I had to go through all of them – there are so many good causes out there, and eventually you have to choose someone to donate to.

“It’s good to try and help the world become a better place by helping the people in need.

“In life it is so nice when you can make people happy, when you can give someone joy, you cannot describe that feeling, it is just the best.”