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Sky Bet League One: Nigel Clough says Sheffield United board will make Ched Evans decision

Image: Ched Evans: Set for early prison release

Nigel Clough has described the decision whether to bring jailed striker Ched Evans back to Sheffield United as "above football".

Evans is due to be released from prison - two-and-a-half years into a five-year sentence for rape - on Friday and has been heavily linked with a return to the Blades - the club for which he played when convicted in 2012.

But the South Yorkshire side have already faced a backlash, with more than 140,000 people signing a petition against the Wales international's possible re-employment at Bramall Lane.

Clough revealed delicate discussions were ongoing - but said he would not have the final say.

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"We have had one or two discussions, we are awaiting a decision and the owners will make that in good time," the Blades boss said at a pre-match press conference previewing his side's League One trip to Bradford, a game that will be shown live on Sky Sports on Saturday evening.

"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.

"It's my decision whether to put him in the team if he comes back, it's not my decision whether he comes back in the first place - that's theirs.

"Until the decision is made, there is no point talking about it.

"It's not been a distraction within the camp. First of all, he's not out yet and secondly the club haven't made a decision and until those two things happen it is irrelevant."

Evans scored 48 goals in 113 games for the Blades prior to his imprisonment, including 35 in 42 games during the 2011/12 campaign which was cut short due to his trial and conviction.

A jury at Caernarfon Crown Court found Evans guilty of raping a 19-year-old woman in April 2012.

Evans admitted having sex with the woman in May 2011 but said it was consensual.

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