Britney Spears' latest court hearing in her ongoing custody battle has been postponed, prompting speculation of an agreement with ex-husband Kevin Federline.

The singer's lawyers were scheduled to appear in court on Tuesday for a further hearing to decide custody and visitation rights concerning the couple's two young sons.

But a Los Angeles court official has confirmed the meeting has now been rescheduled for Friday - and gossip website TMZ.com is reporting the delay indicates conclusive talks are underway.

Spears won permission to spend the night with her children following her previous three-hour custody hearing in Los Angeles last month.

The former couple has been locked in a custody battle over sons Sean Preston, two, and Jayden James, one, since their split in November 2006.