Ched Evans: Will the Chesterfield striker play for Wales again now his rape conviction has been quashed?
Chesterfield striker last played international football in 2011 but has four goals in seven League One matches this season
CHED EVANS' rape conviction was quashed on Friday afternoon after a two-week retrial at the Court of Appeal found him not guilty.
The 27-year-old, who served half of a five-year jail term after being convicted of rape in 2012, burst into tears when the verdict was read out at Cardiff Crown Court.
Evans, who has maintained his innocence throughout, is under contract at League One Chesterfield.
He has four goals in seven matches this season, although he has not played since September 10 because of the trial.
Before his original conviction, Evans had been an extremely promising footballer, scoring 29 goals in his last full season for Sheffield United in 2011-12.
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"If Ched were to return to a club and do well, then it’s a conversation for us to have. Once you mention someone’s name with the words ‘convicted rapist’, it makes the hair stand up on the back of your neck.
"I don’t know Ched himself, but I would have to sit down and talk to him, too. I couldn’t discuss whether he thought was not guilty. He was found guilty of a horrible crime.
"Because of that, I’ve been put in a horrible position myself, if I’m honest.
"I’m aware there is already an online petition against him playing football again. I’m also aware that if you are a carpenter, say, or a plumber, and you come out of jail you are permitted to get back on with your career."
Before Evans gets his hopes up, it must be said that Welsh football was in a very different place then, struggling to find a recognised striker.
These days Gareth Bale is playing - and thriving - as a striker in international football and both Sam Vokes and Hal Robson-Kanu have emerged and proved themselves able to score at international level.
However, with Evans still only 27 it is not out of the realms of possibility that should he return to top form he would again be considered for international football.