Garrett told producers in July he wanted a pay rise

Garrett, who plays Raymond's brother in the hit show, is on strike in a row over higher wages.

He has been written out of the first episode of the series.

"You know we want him back as soon as he can get back. And, you know, we want everything back to normal and I'm sure it will be," Romano told the US TV show Entertainment Tonight.

Romano said Garrett's departure had not had a negative effect on the rest of the cast, however.

"No. I mean, they were just in the middle of negotiation and we had a show that didn't involve him, and so they could work out their differences. We're hoping to see him soon," he said.

Pay rise

He also said that the cast were "a family. Everybody is coming back. We need Brad there."

Other stars of the show - Doris Roberts, Peter Boyle and Patricia Heaton - had also failed to turn up for the start of work on the new series, saying they were ill.

Garrett had told producers of the show in July he was not interested in returning to the show unless he was given a pay rise.

Everybody Loves Raymond has proven to be the most popular sitcom on CBS.

But the future of the show has already been in doubt after Romano admitted he was thinking of leaving after the current series.