Oasis set for number one single

Oasis look set to end Gareth Gates's reign at the top of the UK charts when their new single The Hindu Times goes straight in at number one.

It is the group's first release for nearly two years and the first single from their forthcoming album Heathen Chemistry.

Despite mixed reviews from critics, the record has easily outsold Gareth's Unchained Melody, which has spent four weeks in the top spot.

Other singles expected to do well in the chart are There Goes The Fear by Doves and N-Sync's Girlfriend.

The number one is welcome news for the Gallagher brothers after the lacklustre performance of their most recent offerings.

Their last album, Standing On The Shoulder Of Giants, was poorly received and their last single, Sunday Morning Call, peaked at number four in July 2000.

But the band themselves remain as popular as ever and tickets for their summer gigs - their first outdoor UK shows for two years - were their fastest-selling ever.

The first two concerts on July 5 and 6 at London's Finsbury Park sold out within two hours and extra dates had to be added to meet demand.

But sales of Heathen Chemistry may be under threat after the entire album was leaked onto the Internet, meaning fans will be able to download the tracks for free.

The band's management insist that the bootleg version features unfinished tracks and called it "a poor substitute for the finished record".