Ched Evans set for return to Sheffield United after rape acquittal

Ex-Wales striker Ched Evans is understood to be set for a return to Sheffield United.

It was reported on Monday that the Chesterfield forward, 28, is expected to have a medical with the Sky Bet League One champions this week.

The Blades have refused to comment on the news, but it is understood the club hope to complete a deal before the end of the season.

Evans was released by United in the summer of 2012 after he was found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in a Rhuddlan hotel and sentenced to five years in prison.

That conviction was quashed and, at a retrial last year, Evans was found not guilty.

The former Manchester City and Wales player signed a one-year deal to join Chesterfield in June 2016 and put pen to paper on a 12-month extension in January.

United offered Evans the use of their training facilities in November 2014 after his release from prison, but the criticism the move attracted forced them to revoke the offer.

Evans, who has scored seven goals in 29 appearances for Chesterfield this season, spent three seasons at Bramall Lane until the summer of 2012, where he scored 48 goals in a total of 113 appearances.

The Blades won the League One title earlier this month, securing promotion back to the Championship for the first time since 2011.