Football: Evans Set For First League Start In Over Four Years

Faizan Hashmi Published August 06, 2016 | 09:04 PM

LONDON, Aug 6, (APP/AFP) - Former Wales striker Ched Evans, who spent two years in prison only to have his rape conviction quashed, will make his first competitive appearance in over four years for third-tier side Chesterfield against Oxford on Saturday. The 27-year-old -- who scored in a pre-season friendly -- last played a league game for Sheffield United in April 2012. Evans was jailed and sentenced for five years in 2012, being released in 2014, for raping a 19-year-old woman.

The Court of Appeal quashed his conviction in April.

He will go on trial again for alleged rape in October and has pleaded not guilty. The forward penned a one-year deal with Chesterfield in June. The Spireites lost a sponsor just days after signing Evans.

The company in question said it did so "in light of recent events". In the 2011-2012 season Evans -- capped 13 times for Wales -- scored 35 goals in all competitions for Sheffield United, then in the third-tier League One.