Convicted rapist Ched Evans, who was released last month after serving half of a five-year sentence for raping a 19-year-old girl, could reportedly be allowed to train with his former club Sheffield United.
However Evans would reportedly now begin to take part in Sheffield's training sessions later this week.
The news would come as a blow to the more than 1,50,000 people who signed a petition calling on the club not to take the 25-year-old back. His contract with the Yorkshire side ran out while he was in prison, The Daily Express reported.
The Professional Footballers' Association (PFA) has said that Evans should be allowed to play again after serving his time.
Evans, who still protests his innocence, was jailed after being found guilty of raping the woman after a fellow footballer met her in Rhyl, North Wales, in May 2011.
Sheffield's manager, Nigel Clough, is reportedly yet to decide whether the club would give Evans a new contract. He has said any decision on the matter was down to the League One club's owners.
The side's official supporters club has said the majority of the team's fans would be happy to have Evans back, and his name has been chanted at recent matches, the report added.