A court in Malawi has delayed its final decision on whether Madonna can have permanent custody of a three-year-old boy until next week.

The pop star began adoption proceedings for David Banda in October 2006.

A social worker from Malawi has already recommended that the pop star be able to keep the child in London.

Simon Chisale said the singer and husband Guy Ritchie had "shown a strong commitment in providing the infant with all essential needs".

Madonna, 49, was granted a temporary custody order after choosing David from an orphanage when he was 13 months old.

He was put there by his father Yohane after the death of the child's mother.

There has been controversy in Malawi over the adoption with some human rights groups accusing the courts of "fast-tracking" the custody process.

Madonna has two other children, an 11-year-old daughter Lourdes with her former personal fitness trainer Carlos Leon, and a seven-year-old son Rocco with Guy Ritchie.