Chief Executive Nigel Howe has confirmed that a planning application has been put in place to expand Madejski Stadium.

He told readingfc.co.uk, "We are preparing the programme for the expansion of the stadium. We hope to put an application forward in October for that. We don't know what capacity it will be exactly, and what else will be involved, but it's the direction we're heading in.

"It will be a full planning application. I'm being ambiguous about the number of seats because it's all being worked on. It has to be the right shape, and marry in with everything in terms of design and what we have already. It will certainly add at least 10,000 to the capacity but the final figure is not decided.

"We are expanding the hotel at the moment, and that is on programme; all set to open in March.

"The conference centre has been refurbished with a new reception, Directors' Lounge, VPs Suite and Princess Suite, and it is complete until next summer when we'll do all the boxes and the other rooms. The centre is busy, it is a cash generator for the football club and the changes have been well received.

"The foundations for new buildings at the training ground were laid a couple of weeks ago, and I hope the whole thing will be done by the start of 2007.

"We'll be providing the first team with better changing, medical and dining facilities, and it's an upgrade to Premiership standard. We have spent some of our Premiership money on it, people ask why we couldn't do it before but we couldn't afford it. That's the same with two or three capital projects.

"We recognise that the players need to play at Premiership standard and we'll treat them that way as well. We're trying to provide the same benefits you would get at other clubs.

"There is a great buzz here now, and you can see that throughout the whole building. There is an enthusiasm and it's fantastic from top to bottom. Everyone has worked hard to get there."