Middlesbrough striker breaks silence after failing to secure deadline day move

The 27-year-old, who has been on international duty with Denmark, asked to leave Teesside last month, however a move didn't materialise before deadline day.

After starting the season brilliantly with three goals in five Championship starts, Pulis decided to leave Braithwaite on the bench for their 0-0 draw with Leeds United amid to speculation regarding his future, but insisted he had no issues with the player and called for him to 'knuckle down'.

Speaking about the situation last month, Pulis said: "Martin will be fine, the situation is, the same every window, you get players who get the smoke blown in their ears,"

"They get put off, they know about the move before us because of agents and that makes it difficult. The game has changed.

"The clubs and manager are happy once the window has closed. He will be fantastic for us. He needed to come out of it and he will go away now with Denmark and fingers crossed he will knuckle down."

Braithwaite then teamed up with his country but was drawn into a disagreement about commercial rights, which seen some of Denmark's biggest players such as Tottenham Hotspur's Christian Eriksen miss their 3-0 friendly defeat to Slovakia.

However, the former Toulouse man returned and started against Wales on Sunday, helping the Danes secure a 3-0 win over Wales in their UEFA Nations League opener.

And on his return to Middlesbrough, Braithwaite, via his Instagram account, addressed the previous speculation surrounding his future before reassuring Boro fans, saying he is fully focused, like he has been all season.

"After a great week with my national team, I'm pleased to be training with Middlesbrough and I'm looking forward to our game at the weekend," said Braithwaite.

"Before I left, I am aware there was speculation about my future so I want to assure the Boro fans that I'm fully focused on giving everything to our team, as I have been all season.

"I look forward to making this season a winning one. #UTB"

Braithwaite and Boro travel to Norwich City on Saturday hoping to maintain their unbeaten start to the season.