The company which developed the award-winning McAlpine Stadium could fail to get past the starting line in its bid to provide a world class Odsal Stadium, it has been revealed.

It is understood Alfred McAlpine Special Projects is not on the list of companies recommended for short listing by an independent consultant.

McAlpine wants to build a 25,000 seat covered stadium at the home of the Bradford Bulls, with an adjoining leisure and retail park.

It is believed the external consultant appointed by the Council to evaluate the bids - Roger Serginson, of London based Angermann, Goddard and Loyd - also leaves arena operators Stavidarios Group Ltd out of the equation.

But the Telegraph & Argus understands councillors will be recommended to continue negotiations with the Odsal Dome Company; Chelverton Properties and Yorkshire Water Estate; St Modwen, and Sterling Capitol.

The confidential report will be considered by the Council's regeneration committee tonight.

But the members will be able to ask for further details and are not bound to accept its recommendations.

Committee chairman Councillor Dave Green said he could not comment on the report but the committee would have full discussions.

The Odsal Dome Company has been given the exclusive rights by Superdome UK to use the concept of its ambitious scheme, which failed to materialise.

The company wants to keep the distinctive Superdome sliding roof for its proposed 70,000 seat stadium.

St Modwen wants a 50,000 seat stadium, Chelverton proposes 40,000, and Sterling Capitol wants a stadium initially providing 30,000 seats, but eventually building up to 70,000. The schemes all provide shopping and leisure. More than 300 people attended exhibitions by the developers in City Hall.

They said they wanted the Council to "get a move on" after waiting for five years for the £200 million Superdome scheme to go ahead.

Converted for the new archive on 30 June 2000. Some images and formatting may have been lost in the conversion.