Powell looking for fast run

Jamaican sprinter Asafa Powell said he expects to run close to his world record time in the 100 metres at this month's Commonwealth Games in Melbourne.

Powell stopped short of predicting he would better the 9.77 seconds he ran in Athens last year but said he was certain he would run quick.

"I am still the fastest man on earth," he told reporters after his arrival in Australia yesterday.

"I've been in a few competitions in Jamaica and I've competed well and as far as I can see I'm all right."

Powell broke Tim Montgomery's three-year-old world record of 9.78 in Greece in June but a groin injury forced him to miss the world championships in Finland.

But the 23-year-old said the injury had healed well and he was raring to get back into competition.

"Since I was injured, I've been working hard, trying to get better to come to these Games," he said.

"This is really important to me. I just want to get it (the comeback) over with. The only thing I have to prove is that I'm better and ready to run."

The heats of the men's 100 metres start at the Melbourne Cricket Ground on March 19.