Sheffield United have been granted planning permission by the city's council to develop Bramall Lane, the club confirmed.

The Blades will develop the South Stand, expanding the ground's capacity to 44,000 and incorporating additional banqueting, corporate and commercial facilities.

The expansion will be a boost to Sheffield's campaign to be one of the host cities in England's 2018 World Cup bid.

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.

"The next steps will be to firm up on design and delivery always ensuring we minimise potential disruption to supporters."