Manchester City Football Club (MCFC) has appointed construction group Laing O'Rourke to build the expansion of its Etihad Stadium.

The extension works, designed by architects Populous, are expected to cost £50m and will be undertaken in two phases.

The work will result in the venue having a capacity of 60,000 (up from the current 48,000) - making it the second largest in the English Premier League behind Old Trafford (capacity 75,811), home to local rivals Manchester United.

The first phase of construction, which will be completed in time for the 2015-16 season, will see the South Stand expanded by around 6,000 seats. The second phase, development of the North Stand, will then complete the transformation.

Ground engineering work is expected to start this week.

Tom Glick, chief commercial officer for MCFC, said: "The expansion of the stadium is a hugely significant moment for us.

"The waiting list for the expanded Etihad is already close to capacity and we look forward to seeing a sell-out 54 000 seat stadium as we open the 2015 season."

The stadium, previously called City of Manchester Stadium, was built by O'Rourke for the 2002 Commonwealth Games.