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Ched Evans has reported for pre-season duty with Chesterfield after he sealed a sensational return to football last month following a four-year spell away from the sport.

The former Sheffield United striker was pictured in action for this first time since he penned a one-year contract, worth around £2,000-a-week, with the League One club.

Evans, a former Wales international, donned Chesterfield training gear as he was put through his paces alongside his new club team-mates. 

The ex-Manchester City player has not played professionally in four years after spending two-and-a-half years in jail, but had his conviction for rape overturned in April. 

Ched Evans was pictured for the first time in action for Chesterfield after sealing his return to football 

Evans, a former Wales international, donned training gear as he was put through his paces on Monday 

The former Sheffield United striker penned a one-year contract, worth around £2,000-a-week, with the club

The Crown Prosecution Service has pursued a new trial which is scheduled to start on October 4 at Cardiff Crown Court.

Evans was jailed on April 20, 2012, following a Crown Court trial in Caernarfon and was released midway through his five-year sentence on October 17, 2014.

He has maintained his innocence and the conviction was quashed in April after a referral by the Criminal Cases Review Commission.

Despite facing a retrial, the 27-year-old father-of-one is hoping to get his football career back on track following a lengthy spell away from the sport.

After sealing his transfer, Evans said: 'I am very excited and privileged to be resuming my career at Chesterfield. I hope to make a valuable contribution both on and off the pitch for the football club, the fans and the community.'

The 27-year-old juggles the ball after reporting for pre-season duty with League One outfit Chesterfield 

The father-of-one is hoping to get his football career back on track following a lengthy spell away from sport

Evans, pictured in training, has linked up with ex-boss Danny Wilson who was his manager at Sheffield United

Chesterfield boss Danny Wilson was the Sheffield United manager when Evans was convicted in April 2012 and has always supported the player in private. 

Wilson's assistant manager at Chesterfield, Chris Morgan, was also a team-mate of Evans at Sheffield United.

Chesterfield chairman Dave Allen also hailed the move, which was confirmed in June: 'We are delighted to have secured the services of an outstanding footballer.

'Danny Wilson knows Ched very well. Chesterfield have given a great deal of thought to this signing and following the court's decision, we are in no doubt that Ched Evans should be welcomed back into his profession.'

Evans agreed a £2,000-a-week one-year deal at Chesterfield on his return to football last month

The striker has not played professional football since 2012 after serving two-and-a-half years in jail

Evans is pictured with his girlfriend Natasha Massey in Alderley Edge back in January 2015