Sheffield United manager Nigel Clough has claimed that the club are yet to make a decision on whether to re-sign convicted rapist Ched Evans.

Clough has confirmed that discussions have been held regarding Evans, who will be released from prison on Friday after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in a hotel near Rhyl, Denbighshire.

An online petition was created in a bid to stop the Blades from re-employing the former Wales international.

"We have had one or two discussions, we are awaiting a decision and the owners will make that in good time," ITV.com quotes Clough as saying.

"I have been involved in decisions, but it is very much a decision for the owners and when the time is right to say something as a club we will do that. It is that sort of decision - it's above football level."

Evans was signed by the club back in 2009 from Manchester City.