Spears on hiatus as album is pushed into 2008

Britney Spears has been dealt a new blow as she hopes for a pop comeback - her new material won't see the light of day until 2008.

The pop superstar was hoping to release a new album later this year, but her publicist has confirmed all album plans have been shelved.

Spears' representative, Leslie Sloane Zelnik, tells America's Life & Style magazine: "I put her on hiatus. Brit's album is pushed until '08."

But a source close to Spears' camp insists executives at her record label, Jive, fear the Toxic singer's pop career is over, judging by her latest efforts.

The insider tells the publication: "I'm surprised the album wasn't pushed back to 2009. Everything's up in the air with the album right now."