Evans to appeal rape sentence

London - Wales and Sheffield United striker Ched Evans will appeal against his conviction for raping a woman in a hotel room.

Evans was jailed for five years at Caernarfon Crown Court last Friday after being found guilty of raping the 19-year-old woman at a hotel in North Wales last May.

He admitted having had sex with her, but the woman told the jury that she had no memory of the incident - and the prosecution argued that she was too drunk to consent to sexual intercourse.

Port Vale defender Clayton McDonald, 23, who also admitted having sex with the victim, was found not guilty of the same charge.

But, in a statement posted on United's website, law firm Brabners Chaffe Street said that the 23-year-old Evans maintains his innocence and would be appealing against the jury's verdict.

"Mr Evans firmly maintains his innocence in this matter and as such, we confirm that Mr Evans will be appealing the decision," the firm said in a statement posted on www.sufc.co.uk.

Meanwhile, Sheffield United defender Connor Brown has been suspended by the English League One promotion chasers for comments he made on Twitter following the trial.

The Blades' reserve-team player responded to Evans's prison sentence by tweeting various comments in relation to the case and his support for his team-mate.

North Wales Police are also conducting an investigation after the victim of the rape was named and subjected to abuse on Twitter and other websites.