Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough has suggested that convicted rapist Ched Evans is entitled to a second shot at a professional football career.

The 25-year-old former Blades striker was recently released from prison after serving half of a five-year sentence for the rape of a 19-year-old girl in May 2011.

United confirmed on Tuesday that they have granted the PFA's request for Evans to train with them, but Clough has insisted that is not necessarily a route to him earning a contract with the club, with the League One club wary of the seriousness of the situation.

"That's a long way from coming true," he told Sky Sports News. "I think, as the statement says, he's purely coming to train with us and we'll take it from there. I think everything has been deliberated [over] properly.

"Nobody's rushed into any decisions. Everybody realises the gravity of the situation, the seriousness of everything and that's why it's taken so long to even get to this stage.

"It's been really prompted by the PFA, 'can we have him back in as his ex-club for training', and that's as far as it goes now."

Television presenter Charlie Webster resigned from her role as Sheffield United patron following the news that Evans is back training with the club.