Town and Sunderland are reported to be among the clubs interested in controversial Fleetwood striker Ched Evans, who is leaving Highbury due to disciplinary issues, however, Preston are believed to be the frontrunners for the ex-Wales international’s signature.

According to The Sun on Sunday,Lilywhites boss Alex Neil heads the chase for the 32-year-old with Town and Sunderland also keen. However, it’s believed the one-time Norwich loanee would prefer to stay in the North West.

Last month, Fleetwood manager Joey Barton outlined why Evans was leaving his club: “He will leave the building due to his discipline and his behaviour.

“There’s been multiple infractions. We always try and give a bit of leeway but it just ran its course.

“I think Ched needs a change of scenery, a different voice. I know, short-term, we will feel that because he’s been an influential player for us before but I just think, for us, everybody has a bus stop where they get off. For multiple reasons, I think it’s one of those periods.”

Evans joined the Cod Army, initially on loan from Sheffield United, in 2018 and he went on to make 80 starts and 19 sub appearances, scoring 37 times.

It's reported that Fleetwood may want a fee for the former Manchester City trainee.

In 2012 Evans was found guilty of raping a woman at a Premier Inn near Rhyl the previous year. Having served half of a five-year prison sentence he was released before in 2016 the Court of Appeal quashed his conviction and ordered a retrial which took place later that year when he was found not guilty.

Photo: Action Images

positivity added 13:22 - Jan 3 his goals per game since signing last season are much the same as norwood. his issues make norwood look like a saint. we can't sign anyone over 21 with the salary cap in. expensive waste of money & s*** on two levels to boot. don't go anywhere near this!
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MonkeyAlan added 13:29 - Jan 3 I'd take him. We need a few people to shake these comfy players up. I'd also take Barton as manager. Just what these players at town need. A good kick up the @rse.
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Bergholt_Blue added 13:29 - Jan 3 Absolutely no and some of the comments on here are a little bit worrying would welcome a Rapist but given Norwood stick lately about driving ban
6

MattinLondon added 13:33 - Jan 3 We need to be more aggressive and nastier on the pitch - Tarricco was perfectly charming off the pitch but on it was a totally different character. That's the type of person we need. Evans is a disruptive bell end off the pitch. Anyone with a tad of decency wouldn't want him anywhere near the club.
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Marinersnose added 13:56 - Jan 3 Agree with MonkeyAlan regarding taking Joey Barton as manager. He has done a terrific job at Fleetwood and carries respect from his playing days. He has been an idiot and is strongly opinionated, but he does get his team winning matches.
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Skip73 added 14:01 - Jan 3 A striker who can actually score? Won't be signing for Town then.
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LWNR2013 added 14:16 - Jan 3 Sign him up
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ringwoodblue added 15:03 - Jan 3 He has been to prison and worse still has played for the scum - no thank you! Would rather see our younger forwards given a go.
4

wkj added 15:58 - Jan 3 Can Sunderland and Ipswich not be interested in a player without one another?
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casanovacrow added 16:06 - Jan 3 Hardly fits Evans alleged sustainable 5 point plan. Big wages, not a future investment. Our scouting system seems as broken as the sport science from the outside.
2

ScottCandage added 16:12 - Jan 3 No. This would be a bridge too far. I would never support this club again if they hired Ched Evans.
4

Jesney_Havoc added 16:14 - Jan 3 Guilty of playing for Nodge. More than enough reason to not sign.
1

RegencyBlue added 16:45 - Jan 3 Well, other teams are interested and a fee is wanted so I wouldn't be getting overly animated about this one way or the other!
1

Nobbysnuts added 17:18 - Jan 3 Well it would give Norwood someone to go out and get p#ssed with...🍺🍺🍺🤪🤪🤪
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waldenblue7 added 17:40 - Jan 3 Absolutely 100% NO
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Pencilpete added 18:50 - Jan 3 Norwood, Chopra, Scotland .... all strikers with a good goalscoring record til they rocked up here !
4

Bert added 19:28 - Jan 3 No thank you. Hardly a player for a family club.
5

ThaiBlue added 19:54 - Jan 3 Done his time for the crime.get him in big lad and knows where the net is got to be better than watkins and sears.
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MurcianITCC added 21:45 - Jan 3 Done his time?? Rapist?? Do some of you bother to keep up with the news? Ched was proven innocent!
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shakytown added 21:48 - Jan 3 We dont need forwards we need midfielders who try for 100% of a game not the hands on hips mob we have now.
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Spamfortea added 22:49 - Jan 3 Being found not guilty at retrial is not the same as being found inoccent. It means the jury (the second time) could not agree beyond reasonable doubt he raped the victim. If he was in a position of trust (such as a nurse, police officer, teacher, social worker) he would not be allowed back to work because of the balance of probability. If Ched Evans was signed I'd be handing my season ticket back. He isn't fit to wear the shirt.

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Steve_ITFC_Sweden added 07:07 - Jan 4 No thanks!
1

bobble added 07:26 - Jan 4 rapists can get to the highest jobs in the world
0

spanishblue added 10:34 - Jan 4 We've already got an excuse of a budgie manager why the hell would we want a loanee player,as said we need 2 tough midfielders and a 4 xxxx c/back who takes no prisoners plus a few fit players
0

norfolkbluey added 12:43 - Jan 4 Calm down everyone. He's not coming to Portman Road. None of us know the true facts of his case. We haven't the cash anyway and like many of us at the Town we need quality in the central midfield who can pass the killer ball because that's why we don't score enough goals. We have to get players who pass forward not side ways all the time. Looking at the premiership makes me weep in frustration. If we ever hope to get those type of midfielders it will be some kind of miracle. Just look to where we have dropped to over the years. Playing in the same league as Lincoln when we used to play Liverpool and Man U. Forget Ched Evans, he's not our type of player. The last thing we need right now is further disruption in our club.

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