British footballer Ched Evans's conviction for rape will be reviewed by leading judges on March 22, a body that investigates alleged miscarriages of justice announced on Wednesday.

The former Wales striker, who maintains his innocence, was released from prison in 2014 after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old woman in a north Wales hotel room in May 2011.

His case has been referred to London's Court of Appeal by the Criminal Cases Review Commission (CCRC), which investigates possible miscarriages of justice in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.

The CCRC announced last October that it had unearthed new evidence that could have supported Evans's defence. Court of Appeal judges will now consider how safe his conviction is.

Evans previously lost his case at the Court of Appeal in 2012.

Following his release, Evans, 27, saw an attempt to resurrect his career with English third-tier club Oldham Athletic collapse amid a public outcry.

Evans came through the youth ranks at Manchester City and after a loan spell at Norwich City, he joined Sheffield United in 2009 for a fee of £3 million ($4.2 million, 3.9 million euros).

He scored 48 goals in 113 games for Sheffield United and has made 13 appearances for Wales, scoring once.

He has not played professional football since his release.