Leeds Rugby chief executive Gary Hetherington today confirmed the club are looking to replace the massive structure, which is currently partially closed because of safety concerns.

Hetherington insisted any new stand is likely to include at least some standing accommodation though a two-tier building, similar to the new Carnegie Stand, is also a possibility.

The front half of the South Stand was closed for Leeds Rhinos' engage Super League final eliminator against Wigan Warriors two weeks ago, after safety checks revealed concerns over the state of some of the terracing.

Load testing is now being carried out and Hetherington said: "That will determine what needs to be done.

"Our expectation is that some work will need to be done and we would like to start that as soon as possible and have the work completed before Christmas."

But Hetherington admitted the viability of the South Stand is now in doubt.

He said: "We are awaiting the results of the testing, but what it has also done is focus our attention on long-term plans for the South Stand.

"It has always been our vision to replace the South Stand, which is now an aging facility, nearly 70 years old.

"What the Carnegie Stand has done, with its range of amenities and with how popular that has proved to be, is reinforce to us and our fans that we need to significantly improve the quality of our facilities.

"It is not just the terracing, it is all the spectator comforts and amenities: toilets, the health and safety aspect, the ability to be able to provide food and so in a comfortable, friendly environment – the whole range.

"The Carnegie Stand provides all that and it's what spectators want and expect in the modern age."

The Carnegie Stand, opened in 2006 and funded by Leeds Metropolitan University, includes an upper deck of seating, with terracing at ground level.

It also boasts a cafe, restaurant and classrooms, which are used by Leeds Met students during the week.

Plans to alter the character of the South Stand would cause an outcry among fans and Hetherington insisted that is not the intention.

"We fully appreciate the uniqueness of the South Stand and what a terrific atmosphere is created by all those who go in there," he said. "We don't want to diminish that in any way.

"It is currently, we understand, the largest covered terrace in the world and clearly we need to retain that, but we also need to try and find some way of improving it and providing a range of amenities and facilities that are better than they are now.

"We are always keen to hear our fans' views, particularly those who use the South Stand, but I would expect that in any survey we did the fans would wish to retain it as a standing terrace.

"There could be the option, for example, of doing something similar to the Carnegie Stand, which provides terracing and seats.

"The third option would be all-seating, but I would expect our fans would want to retain the terrace."

Hetherington said the club don't have a time scale for when work could begin on a new stand and plans have not yet been drawn up, but he confirmed they are now looking at ways of funding the work.