Injured Powell taking it day by day

Former world 100m record holder Asafa Powell said that he would be putting his programme for the rest of the season together on a day to day basis because of injury.

“Since Paris (Diamond League meet), I have had a lot of problems with my groin and that spread to my back and hamstrings,” he said.

“I have been unable to train at 100 per cent. I have been getting treatment twice a day every day and slowly I am getting better.

“My coach (Stephen Francis) and manager (Paul Doyle) have all my races lined up but I am not even aware of what is next. All I am doing is focusing on getting healthy and back able to race. I am taking it day by day.”

Powell withdrew from last week’s Stockholm leg of the Diamond League where he had been hoping to challenge compatriot Usain Bolt, the world and Olympic champion and world record holder, and American Tyson Gay in the 100m.

Bolt suffered his first defeat in two years there when beaten by Gay and on Tuesday announced he was cutting short his season because of back problems.

Powell said: “I knew it is very difficult. To win against these guys everything has to go right on the day. There is no room for error. In Gateshead, Gay won the battle and Bolt did likewise in Lausanne, but I don’t like losing to anybody.”