Backstreeter McLean to stay in rehab

(CNN) -- The Backstreet Boys will be taking a little longer to get back on the road.

A.J. McLean, who entered a rehabilitation facility July 9 for a 30-day treatment of alcoholism, depression and other problems, has extended his stay there for two weeks, prompting the group to postpone resumption of its North American tour until August 24, according to wire services.

The group was scheduled to return to the road August 7.

In a statement, members of the quintet emphasized their support for McLean and noted he is making progress.

"A.J.'s initial treatment is going very well," Kevin Richardson said. "His doctors suggested it would be in A.J.'s best interest to take an additional two weeks in transitional care."

"We want to give him his privacy to recover," Marcee Rondan, the band's publicist, added in an interview with The Associated Press. "He's expected to be released sometime next week."

Ten shows are affected by the postponement, and two of them -- in Los Angeles, California, and Tacoma, Washington -- have been canceled because of scheduling difficulties, a spokeswoman said.

The band has set October dates for the other eight cities -- Vancouver, British Columbia; Portland, Oregon; Seattle, Washington; Bakersfield, San Jose and San Bernardino, California; Salt Lake City, Utah; and Denver, Colorado -- and added shows in Boise, Idaho; Albuquerque, New Mexico; Phoenix, Arizona; and San Diego, California, where the tour will now end October 20.

The Backstreet Boys' latest album, "Black & Blue," has sold 5.2 million copies in the United States.