The Charlatans drummer Jon Brookes is hoping to return to the band within six weeks.

Singer Tom Burgess said Brookes, who suffered a brain tumour earlier this month, was eager to join the band on their upcoming Australian tour.

“I think that's the most realistic way to look at everything,” he said.

Brookes is currently undergoing treatment in the UK after he collapsed on stage at a gig in the US on September 15.

Burgess told BBC Newsbeat that it was “chaotic” when Brookes was first taken ill at Johnny Brenda’s in Philadelphia.

"Myself and Mark [Collins, guitarist] didn't know what to do. We looked over at him and he gave us a really distant look,” Burgess said.

"Our tour manager walked on stage and took his drumsticks out of his hands. A doctor saw what was going on and said, 'Let me on stage I'm a doctor'. Jon then started to faint. The doctor told everyone to get off stage and call 911."

Despite the serious nature of Brookes’ condition, Burgess added that “things are looking on the up” for the star.

The drummer has been temporarily replaced in the band by The Verve’s Pete Salisbury.

(by Jason Gregory)