London, Mar 27 : Madonna is expected to travel to Malawi this weekend to try to adopt a second child, it has emerged.

The 50-year-old singer is close to ending the end of a 19-month battle to make "smiling angel" Mercy James legally hers.

Officials in the impoverished African country have confirmed that adoption papers had been filed and that proceedings would begin at a court in the capital Lilongwe next week.

Madge first spotted Mercy, now four, in an orphanage in August 2007.

She has long talked of her desire for a sister for adopted son David Banda, three, insisting on a girl to "redress the balance."

"Madonna is determined that she will leave Malawi with a new daughter. She desperately wants Mercy but there are other orphans who need homes," The Sun quoted a source, as saying. (ANI)