Madonna has been given a glimmer of hope by Mercy James' biological family, who insist she should fight for the four-year-old.

The heartbroken singer lost her application to adopt on Friday, on the grounds that she must reside in Malawi for at least 18 months before she can even considered as a suitable candidate. 

Mercy's alleged father James Kambawa is threatening to thwart Madge's hopes of becoming mother to the four-year-old.

Yet Mercy's uncle Peter Baneti said they would help the queen of pop and fight James' custody attempts, in order to give his niece a better life.

Peter tells The Sun, “This man didn’t care about his girlfriend, Mercy’s mother, when she needed him most. He didn’t even come to see his baby.”

Meanwhile, it seems Madonna's rejection could be bringing her and ex-husband Guy Ritchie closer after her released a statement of support on behalf of the singer.

See Madonna through the years below