Ched Evans is set to make his first appearance since rejoining the club this week in a friendly against CF Malaga, as confirmed by manager Chris Wilder in an interview with the Sheffield Star.
The 28-year-old re-joined the Blades in May after completing his first full season back in football at Chesterfield last term. Evans arrives at Bramall Lane with a point to prove, having narrowly missed out at promotion in his last spell with the South Yorkshire club in 2012.
Many of the Sheffield United faithful will be excited to see the striker back in action after missing out in last week’s friendly against Stocksbridge Park Steels, but it is now confirmed that Evans will play in Friday’s clash against Spanish saints Malaga in Marbella.
“Ched has got a programme that he’s been following.
“I wanted him to be at Stocksbridge and he wanted to play. I wanted him to be involved there.
“But we’ve set a programme out for it and it’s quite easy to say ‘alright, let’s just mug that off’ and get him out there.
“But the sports scientists and conditioners managed to change my opinion on that which they’ll be delighted about and doesn’t happen very often.
“He’ll definitely be involved against Malaga, unless something doesn’t go to plan,” the Blades boss Chris Wilder said.
The former Wales international bagged a huge 35 goals in his final season at Bramall Lane, but struggled with fitness and found difficulty finding the net with the Spireites last season. Wilder addressed the issue of Evans’ road to full fitness, “We have got a way forward for him.
“He’s been training and he’s come away with us.
“He did work the morning before Stocksbridge and he did work afterwards too.
“He’ll be working out here too.
“Ched’s fitted in really well with the rest of the lads and we’ll all be pleased to see him out there for this club again.”
The striker’s last appearance came in April 2012’s 3-1 win over Leyton Orient, and Evans is now set to pull on the red and white top once again in the Blades’ pre-season friendly against La Liga outfit CF Malaga.
