OXFORD United are interested in signing Ched Evans on loan and have canvassed supporters for their opinions, boss Karl Robinson has confirmed.

Bringing in a striker is the club’s top priority this summer and the 30-year-old fits the bill after scoring 18 goals on loan at Fleetwood Town last season.

He is also thought to be available, with parent club Sheffield United winning promotion to the Premier League.

But United are wary even if they could bring in Evans, it may divide opinion.

He spent two and a half years in prison, but the conviction for rape was quashed, before he was found not guilty at a retrial in 2016.

Robinson has met with supporters in the last few days to gauge the mood over a potential move for the striker, which the head coach says has been largely positive.

“He’s a player I like. I don’t think there are many better strikers in League One,” he said.

“I don’t know who else is in for him, but we have some sort of interest, yes.

“Whether it’s a possible one we don’t know.

“As a club we take tremendous responsibility for people’s actions, but equally everybody in life deserves an opportunity and a chance.

“He’s been proven by the law of the land that he was wrongly imprisoned.

“We’ve spoken to different people of different ages and genders. The consensus (from fans) has been a positive one.”

Robinson was speaking after United’s 2-0 friendly win at Thame United, which featured two players on trial.

Centre back Jon Guthrie got a second chance to impress, while Elliott Frear is set to feature again at Woking on Saturday.

The winger came on United’s radar last season when they were scouting his Motherwell teammate Alex Rodriguez Gorrin, who they signed last month.

Robinson said: “When we were looking at Alex, Frear was someone who really stood out.

“I like what I see, but let’s be totally honest, it’s not like we’ve been (fully) tested.

“Saturday’s game will maybe be a better opportunity to see what we think.”

While United work on incoming deals, they sold Tsun Dai to Wolverhampton Wanderers for an undisclosed fee.

Robinson described the deal, for a player who did not make

a senior appearance in 12 months at the club, as “good business”.

Robinson said: “We wish him luck.

“He’s a nice kid and it’s a good move for him.”