Liam Boyce hopes his record move to Burton Albion can boost his chances of playing in next summer's World Cup finals.

The 26-year-old striker joined the Brewers from Scottish Premiership side Ross County on Tuesday, less than a month after grabbing his first international goal for Northern Ireland in a 1-0 friendly triumph over New Zealand.

Boyce then started for Michael O'Neill's side in the crucial World Cup qualifying victory in Azerbaijan, with Stuart Dallas notching a late winner.

That result leaves Northern Ireland in control of second place in Group C. While they trail world champions Germany by five points, they are four clear of third-placed Czech Republic with four games to play, and a further two above Azerbaijan.

Liam Boyce scored 23 goals for Ross County in the Scottish Premiership last season

It leaves them in pole position for a play-off spot and a shot at their second major tournament in succession.

Boyce missed out on the Northern Ireland squad for Euro 2016, as O'Neill's men made it to the last-16, but he will be pushing for inclusion should they make it to the World Cup - having finished as the Scottish Premiership's top scorer last term.

Albion have signed the former Cliftonville forward with the hope that he will carry that goal-scoring form into the Championship and help fire them to another successful term in the second tier.

And the man himself knows that a good campaign in his first year of English football could give a real boost to his international credentials, as has proven the case with Jackson Irvine at the Pirelli Stadium.

"The higher level you play at, the more chances you have to play at international level," he said.

"When you are in Scotland, you have to do exceptionally well. It took me a while to break into the international team and get the starts.

"Hopefully playing at a higher level in the Championship, and hopefully scoring goals, will help me cement the place in the team."

Boyce's ultimate aim in a green and white shirt, of course, is to be part of a World Cup finals campaign once his first Championship season is done and dusted.

Making an impact for the Brewers will have to take priority first up, though, if that is to happen.

"It's amazing (with Northern Ireland), especially after scoring my first international goal and starting in the win over Azerbaijan," he added.

"That was a big game, and it's going well in the qualifiers for the World Cup.

"For me, to go to the next level (is important), and hopefully I'll have a good year with Burton.

"Then hopefully we do qualify for the World Cup - that's what we are aiming to do, we're in a strong position - and hopefully I can keep playing, keep scoring and try to cement a place in the squad for the World Cup, which would be unbelievable."