Ched Evans has been running 10k a day and playing 5-a-side football with pals to get in shape for football return

CHED Evans has been running 10k every day for the last month to get fit for his return to football.

The 27-year-old has also given up playing 5-a-side footy games as he prepares to play his first games of professional football for over four years next season.

He had been playing with pals on a weekly-basis in a bid to keep fit.

A source close to the ex-Sheffield United striker said he didn't want to risk picking up any injuries before signing to League One club Chesterfield on Monday.

His £2,000-a-week return to professional football comes after his rape conviction was quashed in April.

Evans faces a retrial in October over allegations he raped a 19-year-old woman.

He was jailed for five years in 2012, but was released after two-and-a-half years and has appealed the ruling.

He took the case to the Court of Appeal, where judges agreed there was insufficient evidence to uphold the rape conviction.

Evans' return to football has come after several false starts.

He first tried to set up a return to Sheffield United, but the club backed away after a petition was signed by 150,000 people.

Olympic gold medallist Jessica Ennis-Hill removed her name from a stand at Bramall Lane over the controversy.

Evans was also linked with Oldham Athletic and Grimsby Town before securing the Chesterfield deals.

Chesterfield chairman Dave Allen admitted he gave the Evans signing a "great deal of thought".

He said on the club's website: "Following the court’s decision, we are in no doubt that Ched Evans should be welcomed back into his profession as a professional footballer.”

Evans' last game of professional football was on 14 April 2012, when he helped Sheffield beat Leyton Orient 3-1, scoring once.

He has scored 59 goals in 167 career games with Manchester City, Norwich City and Sheffield United.

He has one goal in 13 international caps for Wales.