Hull City manager Steve Bruce believes that convicted rapist Ched Evans "deserves" to return to football and admits that he gave his support to Oldham Athletic when they came close to signing the Welshman.

The 26-year-old's proposed move to the League One outfit collapsed yesterday after board members and their families received "vile" threats.

Evans was released from prison in October after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel, but intends to challenge the verdict via the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Today, Bruce confirmed in his weekly press conference that he was one of three Premier League managers that gave their support to Oldham chairman Simon Corney.

"I have to be honest and say yes," Bruce told reporters. "I've known Simon for a lot of years now. He'd looked at the case too. He was of the opinion to give the kid a chance. I can only say on behalf of myself, I know I might be upsetting people but there is a question of the rape and how he's been convicted by a jury. When you look at the evidence, it is there for appeal.

"I'm a big believer that if you have done your time everyone deserves a second chance, we have seen footballers involved with accidents and being given a second chance. It's a very difficult situation for everyone concerned. It's a pity they could not have the appeal and get it over and done with.

"It has divided opinion of course and when you look at the case in detail and, I don't think most people have really, because they have just seen Ched Evans as a convicted rapist, when you do look at the case and look at the evidence then certainly Ched has got a case."

Evans has apologised for his behaviour, but blamed "mob rue tactics" for causing the collapse of his Oldham transfer.