Ground engineering work will start this week at the stadium O’Rourke built for the 2002 Commonwealth Games. T

Design practice Populous has worked with the club from the initial feasibility stages of the project and will now oversee the construction phase of the project with Laing O’Rourke.

Planning permission for the expansion was granted last month to develop the North and South stands.

The first phase of construction will see the South Stand expanded by around 6,000 seats, increasing stadium capacity from 48 000 to 54 000.

The development of the North Stand will follow and eventually take the stadium to a capacity of 60 000.

The contract is estimated to be worth £10m by Glenigan.

Steve Coleby, Leader for Laing O’Rourke’s Construction UK business said: “Laing O’Rourke is delighted to be expanding one of the UK’s most popular sports and leisure arenas for one of the most successful Premier League clubs.

“Our team is known for delivering logistically complex engineering work, combining expertise from across the Laing O’Rourke Group and our specialist businesses.

“This, along with our use of the latest Digital Engineering technologies, will help us to deliver efficiently with minimal disruption during match days, concerts and other events hosted throughout the year.”