Chris Brown makes another court appearance as his lawyers try to get him out before his birthday

Los Angeles - Prosecutors and an attorney for Chris Brown were discussing a possible deal on Thursday to resolve probation issues faced by the R&B singer over his 2009 attack on Rihanna.

Brown was led into a Los Angeles courtroom in handcuffs for a short hearing after US marshals transported him from Washington, DC.

Superior Court Judge James R Brandlin ordered Brown to return to court on 9 May when a possible deal could be addressed in court.

No possible terms were discussed on Thursday.

Brown could face continued confinement or other punishment if Brandlin or another judge determines he violated his probation by getting arrested after a man was punched in October outside a hotel in the nation's capital.

Brandlin revoked Brown's probation in December and ordered him into rehab for anger management and other issues.

Brown's attorney Mark Geragos said if a deal could not be reached by Tuesday, he would request the release of the singer.

"I'm hopeful that we get it resolved, and we get it resolved quickly," Geragos said. "He turns 25 next week. So I'd like to give him an early birthday present if I can."

The Grammy winner has been in custody since 14 March when he was expelled from a court-ordered rehab for violating its rules.

Brown's trial on a misdemeanour assault charge in Washington is on hold while his bodyguard appeals an assault conviction for the same incident.

Brown did not speak during the hearing on Thursday but smiled at his mother and other supporters.