Championship club Sheffield United has been granted planning permission by the city council enabling them to develop Bramall Lane in the future.

The Blades will enlarge their South stand from 33,000 seats to 44,000 seats in a bid to host 2018 World Cup matches if Sheffield are chosen as a host city for the proposed 2018 tournament in England.

The club said the expansion would include new exhibition and conferencing facilities within the stand.

Executive director Jason Rockett said: “This is good news for Sheffield United and the city. Our focus remains firmly on achieving success on the pitch and the planned stadium developments will contribute to our continued long term strategy to drive off-the-field income for a sustainable business supporting further investment in the first team squad.”