Ched Evans latest: Convincted rapist ‘set to sign for League One club,’ according to the Secret Footballer

Evans had been linked with a move to Malta but the Ministry of Justice confirmed he was not allowed to work abroad

Ched Evans in action for Sheffield United in 2012 (Getty Images)

Mystery surrounded the future of the convicted rapist Ched Evans after a tweet from Secret Footballer that he had heard that the striker would sign for an unnamed League One club on Sunday.

Earlier, reports quoted a spokesman for the 26-year-old denying claims by the Maltese club Hibernians that they were close to offering Evans a contract.

The Ministry of Justice also cast doubt on such a move by saying that the requirement for sex offenders to meet probation officers face-to-face on a regular basis “effectively rules out working abroad”.

Malta’s prime minister, Joseph Muscat, said Evans, right, playing there would damage the island’s image. Evans, who was released from prison in October after serving half of a five-year sentence, was initially given the chance to train with his former club, Sheffield United, but the offer was withdrawn amid an outcry from fans and club patrons.

Tranmere, Oldham and Hartlepool all distanced themselves from the player after being linked with him.

Salford City

Neville and Scholes step in for victory

Phil Neville and Paul Scholes, part of the group of former ex-Manchester United players who invested in Salford City, took charge as the side beat Kendal Town 2-1. Neville, a BBC pundit, and Scholes stepped in after Phil Power was sacked as manager by the Evo-Stik Division One North side. The pair own half of the club along with Ryan Giggs, Nicky Butt and Gary Neville.

FA Cup third round

Vincenti helps Dale put Pearce on spot

Rochdale put Nottingham Forest out of the FA Cup with a 1-0 victory at Spotland, increasing the pressure on Stuart Pearce and his Championship side, who have won only two of their past 18 games. The League One side won the tie through Peter Vincenti’s 12th minute penalty after Danny Fox had brought down Joe Rafferty. Dale’s goalkeeper Josh Lillis had already blocked a free-kick by David Vaughan but once they had taken the lead the home side dominated the rest of the first half. Lillis denied Forest’s Britt Assombalonga in the second half as Rochdale held on.

Holloway seeks new blood after Millwall snatch draw

A double by Ricardo Fuller allowed struggling Millwall to escape with a 3‑3 draw at home to Bradford City and earn a second chance to reach the fourth round. Ian Holloway’s side, who conceded an own goal by Sid Nelson, went into the game on the back of four defeats in five games. “It’s just the way things are going, it really is,” Holloway said. “I thought we showed terrific character to come back, the sort we haven’t had for the last couple of games. As long as they give me what they did today we can go the right way. The window is open, let’s get cracking, I’m going to have to swap and wheel and deal.” Billy Knott twice gave Bradford the lead.

League One

Thompson scores late as Swindon hit back to go top

Swindon missed a penalty and went 2-0 down at Fleetwood before fighting back to draw 2-2 and go to the top of the table on goal difference above Bristol City. Louis Thompson secured the point by prodding home the equaliser in the 88th minute.