Dizzee Rascal is being lined up to replace U2 at this year's Glastonbury festival.

The 'Bonkers' rapper has been asked by the British music event's organiser Michael Eavis to fill in for the Irish band after frontman Bono had emergency back surgery last week.

The 'Beautiful Day' hitmakers are set to headline the Pyramid Stage on Friday June 25 but if Bono has not recovered in time, they will have to pull out.

Dizzee is currently set to play the set before U2 but may be promoted to close the evening.

However, Eavis has also phoned Coldplay - who are currently in the studio working on their fifth album - to see if they are available, according to The Sun newspaper.

Bono suffered his injury while preparing for his group's world tour, and attended a specialist neurosurgery clinic in Munich, Germany, for immediate work on his spine.

He is expected to stay in Germany for a few days before returning to his home in Ireland.

A planned tour date in Salt Lake City on June 2 has been postponed.

A statement on the band's website reads: "Once his condition has been assessed further, a statement will be made regarding the impact on forthcoming tour dates."

Industry insiders expect the band will announce later this week that they will not be able to play Glastonbury.