Leeds United are considering moving from Elland Road which has staged league football for 96 years.

The expansion plans are part of Leeds' ambitions to offer a serious challenge to Manchester United's domination of the Premiership.

Chairman Peter Ridsdale and the club's owners Leeds Sporting Plc have launched a feasibility study into a new site within the city, with the alternative of redeveloping the present ground which has a capacity of just over 40,000.

''We are surrounded by housing so if we were to build on a new site it would be away from Elland Road,'' said Ridsdale. ''The alternative is to redevelop the present ground.''

No decision will be made before September but Leeds could be playing at a new stadium by the start of the 2003 season.

Updated: 15:43 Tuesday, May 22, 2001