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City's new £200m football academy could be open in October, MEN Sport has learned.

The finishing touches are currently being made to the sprawling, state-of-the-art complex across the road from the Etihad Stadium.

Blues officials have been guarded over setting a date for the opening of the site, which will be known as the City Football Academy.

But it is understood they are hopeful that the blue ribbon will be cut in October.

Work is nearing completion on a bridge over Ashton New Road which links the stadium with the campus.

The vast project kicked off in September 2012 and will see the club move from their Carrington training ground, up the road from rivals United.

It will include classrooms to cater for 200 students and on-site accommodation for both junior and senior players.

Sixteen football pitches will feature, along with half a pitch to be used by the goalkeepers.

A 7,000-capacity stadium, at the side of the main road, also appears to be near completion. That will host home matches for City’s Women’s Team who kicked off in the Super League this season and are currently playing at the Regional Athletics Arena at the side of the Etihad.

Reserve and youth team matches will also be played there.

A first-team building will house changing rooms, a gym, refectory and cutting-edge medical centre while staff offices and a media centre will also be located on site while a sixth form college and sports centre for the community continues.

Groundwork has also begun on the first phase of plans to extend the stadium itself from a capacity of 48,000 to an eventual 60,000. Around 6,250 seats will be added to the South Stand initially with more to come in the North Stand.