Nile Ranger has offered his support to convicted rapist Ched Evans following the former Sheffield United striker's release from prison on Friday morning. Evans served  half of his five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old girl in a hotel room in Rhyl, North Wales  in 2011. Whether the 25-year-old should be allowed to return to football has been heavily debated during recent weeks, and former Newcastle forward Ranger went on Twitter to offer his opinion. Ched Evans, who played for Sheffield United before his conviction,  was released from prison on Friday . Former Newcastle striker Nile Ranger was cleared of rape earlier this year . He tweeted: 'Ched Evans top player... I hope he gets to play again!' Ranger was himself cleared of rape earlier this year after a seven-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court. The striker was alleged to have raped a woman in a hotel room in Newcastle but was cleared after the jury quickly reached a not-guilty verdict. Ranger, who now plays for Blackpool in the Championship, was also convicted of two counts of assault by beating against two police officers in 2012. Ranger took to Twitter to offer his support to Evans, saying he hopes he will make a return to football . Evans (left), who made 13 appearances for Wales prior to his conviction, served half of his five-year sentence . Evans was seen leaving prison at around 5am on Friday after jumping into a silver 4x4 (pictured) Ranger's comments come as pressure continues to mount on Sheffield United to make a decision about whether to let Evans return to the club. An online petition urging the Bramall Lane club not to welcome him back has received almost 150,000 signatures. The Wales striker left Wymott Prison near Leyland, Lancashire at around 5am, where he was seen jumping into the back of a silver Mercedes ML 4x4.
Ched Evans was convicted of raping a woman in a hotel room in 2011 .
Evans was released from prison in Lancashire at around 5am on Friday .
Nile Ranger 'hopes' Evans is allowed to return to football .
Ranger was himself cleared of rape earlier this year .
Pressure is mounting on Sheffield United to make a decision about whether to allow Evans to return to the club .
Nile Ranger has offered his support to convicted rapist Ched Evans following the former Sheffield United striker's release from prison on Friday morning. Evans served  half of his five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old girl in a hotel room in Rhyl, North Wales  in 2011. Whether the 25-year-old should be allowed to return to football has been heavily debated during recent weeks, and former Newcastle forward Ranger went on Twitter to offer his opinion. Ched Evans, who played for Sheffield United before his conviction,  was released from prison on Friday . Former Newcastle striker Nile Ranger was cleared of rape earlier this year . He tweeted: 'Ched Evans top player... I hope he gets to play again!' Ranger was himself cleared of rape earlier this year after a seven-day trial at Newcastle Crown Court. The striker was alleged to have raped a woman in a hotel room in Newcastle but was cleared after the jury quickly reached a not-guilty verdict. Ranger, who now plays for Blackpool in the Championship, was also convicted of two counts of assault by beating against two police officers in 2012. Ranger took to Twitter to offer his support to Evans, saying he hopes he will make a return to football . Evans (left), who made 13 appearances for Wales prior to his conviction, served half of his five-year sentence . Evans was seen leaving prison at around 5am on Friday after jumping into a silver 4x4 (pictured) Ranger's comments come as pressure continues to mount on Sheffield United to make a decision about whether to let Evans return to the club. An online petition urging the Bramall Lane club not to welcome him back has received almost 150,000 signatures. The Wales striker left Wymott Prison near Leyland, Lancashire at around 5am, where he was seen jumping into the back of a silver Mercedes ML 4x4.
conviction,  was released from prison on Friday . of rape earlier this year . He tweeted: 'Ched again!' Ranger was himself cleared of rape have raped a woman in a hotel room in Newcastle . Evans was seen leaving prison at around 5am on mount on Sheffield United to make a decision about whether to let Evans return to the club. An