The Blades will submit a planning application to Sheffield City Council later this month to increase the capacity of the Kop by more than 3,000, and the club are also seeking approval to develop the South Stand.

The intention is firstly to increase the capacity of the stadium to 36,000 and then eventually to 40,000, taking Bramall Lane to a size that could see it host a World Cup match should England's bid for the 2018 competition prove successful.

If the council accepts the plans, the Kop will be increased by 3,200 seats, a new cantilevered roof will be installed, media and corporate facilities will be enhanced and a student accommodation block will be built on the corner of John Street and Shoreham Street.

Sheffield United chief executive Jason Rockett said: "Over recent years we have upgraded supporters' facilities, we have increased the capacity of Bramall Lane to just under 33,000 and seen the club become the best supported in the Championship.

"We continue to plan for the medium to long-term, putting in the infrastructure to support a growing fan-base and with the intention of achieving our main objective, promotion and sustained Premier League football.

"We have also taken a longer-term view and identified the opportunities around the South Stand which would enable Sheffield and Bramall Lane to be part of any 2018 bid."

Redevelopment plans will trigger a long consultation process with fans and residents living near the stadium.

The process has already begun with senior officials from the club inviting representatives of the Shoreham Street Tenants and Residents Association and the Sharrow Community Forum to personal consultations.

There will be briefings for individual residents, councillors and constituency MP Richard Caborn ahead of a week-long exhibition, which starts at the ground tomorrow, as well as two question and answer sessions with club officials.

Operations director Simon Argall said: "We are about to embark on a substantial period when representatives of the club will be available to hear local opinion."

Even if the capacity of Bramall Lane is increased to 40,000 there is no guarantee that it would be chosen to be a World Cup venue in 2018 if England host the tournament.

During the 2006 World Cup in Germany, the lowest capacity of the 12 stadiums that were used in the competition was 42,000 – and the average capacity of all 12 stadia was just under 53,000.

England already has nine grounds that have a capacity of more than 40,000 and other stadiums such as Elland Road and Hillsborough could be ahead of Bramall Lane in the pecking order.