Former footballer Ched Evans' conviction for raping a 19-year-old woman is to be reviewed after new evidence was brought forward, it has been revealed.

Evans' case was referred to the Court of Appeal in London by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates potential miscarriages of justice

CCRC said new evidence came to light in October.

The former Sheffield United striker and Welsh international was convicted at Caernarfon Crown Court in April 2012 for raping the woman at a hotel in Rhyl in April 2012.

The 27-year-old was released from prison in 2014 after serving half of his five-year sentence.

Lady Justice Hallett, Mr Justice Flaux and Sir David Maddison will be considering the safety of his conviction at a hearing at the High Court.

The referral to appeal judges followed a 10-month investigation by the CCRC.

Public figures speak out against Ched Evans' Sheffield return Show all 5 1 /5 Public figures speak out against Ched Evans' Sheffield return Public figures speak out against Ched Evans' Sheffield return Nick Clegg Deputy Prime Minister and Sheffield MP Nick Clegg said that Evans should not have been allowed to return to train with Sheffield United, but indicated that he believed the Welsh international should be allowed to continue his career, possibly with a foreign club Getty Public figures speak out against Ched Evans' Sheffield return Jessica Ennis-Hill Jessica Ennis-Hill has warned she will withdraw her name from the stands at Sheffield Unity if convicted rapist Ched Evans is re-signed Harry Engels/Getty Images Public figures speak out against Ched Evans' Sheffield return Charlie Webster Charlie Webster resigns as patron of Sheffield United after club allowed convicted rapist Ched Evans to return to training Rex Public figures speak out against Ched Evans' Sheffield return Dave Berry Sixties pop star Dave Berry has resigned as patron of the club since Evans returned to training Rex Public figures speak out against Ched Evans' Sheffield return Lindsay Graham Sheffield businesswoman Lindsay Graham has also resigned as patron of the club since Evans returned to training

CCRC chair Richard Foster said: "The decision of the commission is not a judgment on guilt or innocence in relation to Ched Evans, nor is it a judgment about the honesty or integrity of the victim or any other person involved in the case.

"Our role is to consider applications to see if, in our judgment, there is any basis on which to ask the court to hear a fresh appeal - that is our statutory responsibility.

"In this case we have identified new material which was not considered by the jury at trial and which, in our view, might have assisted the defence.