Amy Winehouse's new material is "sensational", according to the head of music label Universal.

Lucian Grainge, chairman and chief executive of Universal Music Group, said he had complete faith that the troubled singer would return to form.

"I believe in her as a person and I certainly believe in her as an artist and that's what I hope for," Grainge said at the Music Industry Trust Awards.

Grange was earlier recognised at the event for a career in the music industry spanning three decades. He helped to sign Winehouse, who has apparently been attempting to recover from illness by focusing on her third studio album.

The 25-year-old rose to fame with her debut LP Frank in 2003. The follow-up, 2006's Back To Black, has sold an estimated 11 million copies worldwide.

I think a great third albumn is just what she needs to restore faith in people that she is actually a talented artists despite her dramatic personal life. Most of her troubles started after Back To Black was released and most don't reckon she has what it takes to carry on.

With Blake being released from prison this Christmas I just hope that 2009 is a better year for Amy, and that we get a truely amazing third albumn from her.