More than half of top flight clubs are set to tell Premier League bosses that they would be open to piloting safe standing – should such a scenario arise.

As revealed by Sportsmail on Thursday, the league wrote to all 20 of its sides to see if they would be interested in trialling the safe standing at matches.

And it is understood that the majority will confirm that they would be open to such an idea.

Liverpool fans' group Spirit of Shankly have launched a consultation on safe standing

The issue remains an emotive one – especially on Merseyside. Standing in the top two divisions of English football was outlawed following the Taylor Report into the 1989 Hillsborough Disaster, in which 96 Liverpool fans died.

The Anfield club remain against the introduction of safe standing – their position reflecting the stance taken by the Hillsborough Family Support Group.

Across Stanley Park, Everton say they are treating the issue as hypothetical and currently not an option. A February poll of 1,400 Toffees supporters, however, found 90 per cent would favour the introduction of safe standing at the club’s planned new stadium.

In Manchester, both clubs are known to be in favour in principle.

While United declined to comment, they have previously told a fans forum that they are in favour of the concept and would be open to piloting safe standing at Old Trafford.

City say they are also open to safe standing ‘in the right circumstances’.

Celtic introduced rail-seating for 2,600 supporters at Parkhead in a move viewed as a success

Celtic's safe standing section was used for the first time in a pre-season game in July 2016

Previously, Arsenal chief executive Ivan Gazidis has disclosed that he is open to safe standing. Across north London, Tottenham hold a similar view.

‘We have consistently said that we would be open to investigating the opportunity to incorporate safe standing within our new stadium should legislation and licencing permit this,’ a Spurs spokesperson said.

Chelsea have already gone on record to say they would consider safe standing at the soon-to-be rebuilt Stamford Bridge if laws are changed while West Ham co-chairmen David Gold and David Sullivan are both on the record in favour of its introduction.

Crystal Palace chairman Steve Parish is an advocate and has been to Parkhead to see how Glasgow Celtic’s 2,600-capacity rail seating area operates.

In the West Midlands, West Brom would be open to a pilot scheme at The Hawthorns.

WHAT IS SAFE STANDING? Rail seats are the most popular form of safe standing. Each fan stands behind a waist-high safety barrier to prevent surging or crushing. A fold-out seat is attached to each rail. When rail seating is used for games where standing is permitted, supporters are given a designated ‘seat’ but the seat itself can be locked upright. For UEFA matches, which must be all-seater, stadium staff can simply unlock the seats and unfold them. Each seat costs around £80. Advertisement

Swansea say they are also open to the idea, although would need permission from the local authority as their stadium is council-owned while Burnley are also in favour but believe a change in legislation would be needed before such a trial could take place.

Newcomers Brighton have a similar stance and officials have travelled to Germany and Scotland to view safe standing areas, but the club say any final decision would depend on appetite from fans.

Newcastle are currently considering their position and have previously sent a small delegation to Celtic.

The hypothetical question is the latest development following initial talks between the Premier League and clubs in November. The league is carrying out a wide-ranging feasibility study of which the survey is part. They will examine whether a change in the law would be needed to allow the introduction of safe standing and will liaise with fan groups, police forces and other interested parties.

Leicester City and AFC Bournemouth declined to comment, while Southampton, Watford, Huddersfield and Stoke could not be reached.