Those close to Britney Spears are reportedly concerned that the fragile songstress is being pushed too hard to get her new album out before Christmas.

Friends and family are said to be worried that the extra pressure may undo the progress Britney has made following her very public breakdown at the start of the year.

Circus was due to be released in early 2009 but her label Jive Records confirmed this week that the record hit shelves on her 27th birthday in December.

An insider tells MSNBC, "Britney has been going to the studio ever since she got out of the hospital, but it was more a therapeutic exercise than anything.

"The people who really care about her knew that even though she wants to be the pop star she used to be, it won't be good for her. Even her label, Jive, understood that.

"It's a little unsettling to us that they'd want her to get back to recording so fast."

Let's hope Britney's Stronger than they give her credit for.

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