Welsh footballer Ched Evans, who is currently without a club, will have his rape conviction reviewed by the Court of Appeal, it has been confirmed.

The 26-year-old, who lost an earlier appeal against his conviction, was jailed for five years in 2012 after being found guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman at a hotel in Rhyl, North Wales.

The former Sheffield United footballer was released last October after serving half of his sentence, however, and has always maintained his innocence.

Now, after a 10-month long investigation, the Criminal Cases Review Commission have referred the case to the Court of Appeal.

Since being released from prison, Evans has been linked with a number of professional clubs, including Oldham Athletic, but media campaigns have thus far prevented the Welshman from restarting his career on the football field.