FOOTBALLER jailed for online bank fraud released this morning - and already undergoing fitness test with Southend United Football Club.

Nile Ranger was sentenced to eight months in prison after taking more than £2,000 from a woman in online banking scam.

However, he has been released from Pentonville Prison after serving a little over 10 weeks.

Nile was eligible for early release under the HDC (Home Detention Curfew) Scheme, due to the short duration of his sentence and his consistently excellent custodial behaviour.

Nile will remain under an evening home curfew for the next 5 to 6 weeks.

This will enable him to resume training immediately and Nile Ranger is today undergoing a fitness test and assessment that will help steer his training regime over the next 7 to 10 days before he re-joins the squad.