Manchester City plan to expand their Etihad Stadium

Manchester City have announced plans to expand the capacity of the Etihad Stadium from 47,000 to as much as 60,000.

Two options are being considered by the club before a planning application is submitted in December.

One would see the capacity increased to 54,000, and the other to 60,000.

City, whose average home league gate last season was 46,974, are staging an exhibition at the Etihad to obtain the views of fans and residents.

The 54,000 plan would see an extension on the South Stand, while an increase to 60,000 would also mean work on the North Stand.

City say if planning approval is given, they would first develop the South Stand, with the North Stand plan a "possibility".

Following their Premier League title-winning campaign in 2011-12, City's home games regularly sell out.

The Blues left Maine Road in May 2003 and moved into the City of Manchester Stadium, built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games, as tenants of Manchester City Council.

Club spokesman Pete Bradshaw said: "Games are selling out frequently prior to going on open sale and there is rising demand from supporters for more season tickets, match-day tickets and premium seating.

"This is why we are considering these expansion proposals."

Manchester United's Old Trafford (76,000) is the biggest club ground in England, with Arsenal's Emirates Stadium (60,400), Newcastle United's St James' Park (52,200) and Sunderland's Stadium of Light (49,000) also capable of holding more fans than the Etihad.