The redeveloped stadium at Walsall Road in Perry Park will increase its permanent seating capacity from 12,700 to 18,000 allowing up to 40,000 during the Games through additional temporary seating.

A winning contractor is due to be chosen next year from a short list of up to six firms.

Construction information specialist Glenigan said McLaughlin & Harvey has joined the bid race while local industry sources said Buckingham and McLaren are also among the bidders.

One local subcontractor told the Enquirer: “It’s going to be a big job for the city so firms have been putting the feelers out among the supply chain and those three are the names we’ve heard are in the running at the moment.”

Consultant Arup has been working up the new stadium design, with Mace onboard as project manager for the council.

The construction plan is to build a new main west stand and construct new north and south bowl seating areas with the remaining 5,000-capacity back straight stand built in 2012 retained.