In a move which surprised no-one, Sheffield United announced yesterday that Ched Evans will begin training with the club later this week.

The club are keen to make clear that they have not entered talks to resign the striker and are just allowing him to regain his fitness. But this move is seen by many as the first step towards him resigning for the club.

The 25-year-old Welsh international was released from jail last month after serving half of a five-year jail term imposed in April 2012 for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel room in Rhyl, north Wales.